Desert rose has beautiful blossoms and slow growth.Pruning can be done throughout the year to shape the plant.You need to cut back on leggy branches every few years.The large root of your desert rose will make it flourish if you cut the branches close to it.
Step 1: Rub alcohol or bleach on your cutting tool to make it sterile.
Rub alcohol on your cutting blade or shears.You can use a bleach solution if you don't have rubbing alcohol.The cutting tool can transmit disease to your plant.Before you cut the next desert rose plant, make sure the cutting tool is sterile.
Step 2: Gloves will protect your hands.
When you begin to cut the desert rose, use gardening or leather gloves.There are cuts on the plant.It's important to protect your hands because it can cause a rash or itchy sensation.As you're trimming the desert rose, keep kids and pets away from it.
Step 3: After removing the branches, dispose of them.
Place your branches in the yard waste bin once you've trimmed them.When handling the cut pieces, keep wearing gloves.The sticky substance would irritate your skin.
Step 4: If you want to reduce the size of the rose plant, do a hard prune.
If you want to cut back your desert rose, do a hard prune.You can use this to clear out leggy branches or reduce the size of the plant.Hard Pruning can be done once every 2 to 3 years.If your desert rose is planted outside, it's a good idea to do a hard prune since this will help it flower in the spring.
Step 5: APruning is a way to encourage new growth.
If you want to keep the plant healthy, trim a few branches that seem out of place.This can help your desert rose bloom again during the growing season.MinorPruning can be done every year.
Step 6: To shape the desert rose to your liking, make strategic cuts.
If your plant is in the ground, it can grow to the size of a small tree or shrub.So you know how much to trim your desert rose, decide how big you want it to be.If you want a natural-looking rounded shape or 1 or 2 distinctive branches, it's up to you.If you put your plant in a container pot, it will grow quickly.MinorPruning can encourage your plant to produce more flowers.
Step 7: Hard and minorPruning are done in the winter and spring.
If it's in a container, plan on hard pruning at the beginning of winter.The plant can store more energy once it's been cut back since it won't put on growth during this time.If you want to give your plant a chance to heal before it blooms, wait until the end of spring or the beginning of summer.
Step 8: At a 45 degree angle, cut above the flower junctions.
You can identify which branches you need to cut back once you have decided on the shape of the desert rose.If you want to cut above the junction where the branches split, use your cutting tool.The branch can heal more quickly if it is cut at a 45 degree angle.Water can collect in the branch if you cut at a 90-degree angle.
Step 9: The branches need to be removed.
Look for branches that are black, brown, or yellow in the desert rose.At a 45 degree angle, cut off these branches.If you cut away a rotten branch that is close to the caudex, make another cut so you get to healthy.
Step 10: Prune branches that have been damaged or crossed.
The desert rose has branches that are growing into the center of the plant.You might want to trim any branches that are broken, thin, or leggy.Prune them away at a 45 degree angle.
Step 11: If you're doing a hard prune, cut 1/3 of the way down each branch.
If you want to cut back each branch at a 45 degree angle, use your disinfected shears or cutting blade.If 1 branch is 15 cm long, you would cut 2 inches off of it.If the branch is more than 22 cm long, cut it down to 3 inches.If you're cutting a desert rose that's the size of a small tree or shrub, you may want to use loppers.
Step 12: Cut the desert rose to shape it.
If you want to change the shape of the plant, look at which branches need to be cut.If you're trying to create a small, rounded desert rose, you might need to completely cut back branches that stick out to the side.