HI Can anyone tell me when to trim a Desert Rose plant- it is blooming but getting spindly - and I am not sure if it can be trimmed anytime of year and how to trim it back- should I cut the whole plant back leaving a third ? Is it important to trim at a certain part of stem.......any help appreciated Thank you ! jtd

I would trim it in the spring, and cut back to about a third sounds right.

I agree with Hetty.The less you do this time of year the better.

Hi jtd, here's another thought I have one (in a pot) it has no caudex to speak of, and That's what I shoot for. I was going to "trim" it, but decided to wrap the branches in wire and every so often maneuver the branch into a kind of bonsai look, maybe have the whole plant tilting to the side as if wind blown, if I have success I'll call the plant maria, for those who are older they might remember that song. "they called the wind maria. A big hello to everyone.

I'd love to see your plant after you worked on it some, Jim!!

I guess I must be in the "older" category- LOL- because I remember "Maria" and love it!! Can't resist for those who might not know it....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...

Think it would be a great name for your plant!!

I DO remember the song and Paint your Wagon! I think my rose is already a Maria but I will call her Mariah to change it up a bit. My plant wants the SUN so grows toward the east. But I think in the spring I will try cutting back to try to fill her out- Not sure if I need to cut below or above nodules or if it matters??! Or just cut to make it even height.
THANK you all !!!

I know you need to do it sometimes but I'd hate to cut back my "kids"!!

I have one plant like that, and there's one down the road that's the same. That plant would be six feet tall, but it's drooping over.

Less nitrogen, the leaves don't need to be that big and green.

And, yes, springtime for pruning. When you do the chop, try putting the bits in a pot of cactus mix (storebought) and they might root. Cut off the leaves the day before. Not easy to prune!

That first pic is a perfect "Maraih", well, almost perfect. Mine is in a pot. yours in the ground are much like those of mine in ground, They are beginning to be a problem getting into and out of the car; I suppose I'll have to whack a few limbs off. also, your caudex on the ones your showing look good. Do you plan on raising it up a bit? I wonder how long it will be before some one says you should put down mulch . I've done the mulch thing with and without plastic, and just prefer it natural like you have yours. I've lost all my pictures when I had to take my computer in to clean the "F.B.I." virus. Maybe I'll get a chance to get out and take more pics.

Jim

when I prune in springtime should I cut at a certin point on stems or prune to aneven height all around?