Okay, I have some free time today, so I am going to snip and hope.

I think that the sooner you "nip it in the bud" the better. Once the flower has opened it is way too late.

Have I told you guys lately that I really appreciate how quickly and expertly you all respond to newbies and other people with questions in this forum.

I think that it what makes me keep trying to keep some semps alive.

and I do hope your unicorn survives the surgery. Keep us posted with pictures please

Marilyn, it's really not as serious as "surgery"...it's more like an out-patient thing where the doc does a procedure on plant patient.
and Marilyn, I think there's a few semps out there that want to stay alive for you...you just haven't come across them yet. Keep looking!

Thanks Bev, I will.

Okay, the cutting back has been done, but I couldn't get in deep enough to leave a bit of stem behind. So it is essentially a flat cut.

Now, I hope for the best...

JC now I would use something to shade it for a few days - I have all these pieces of slate so I use those, but anything for some protection - in this way it has a better chance of surviving!
You should take a picture so we can see what you did! Once you get growth on the stem near the cut, you will be very excited!!
Marilyn - I totally agree with what Bev said - you just haven't found the right semp combo or spot yet! But with your trees trimmed that may give you a better chance now!

I thought I would get more sun and I do , a bit. However the upper canopy was not trimmed and has really grown so full that it still pretty much shades everything for most of the day.

I saw today that they need more water being in the sun, so am off to pamper them a bit.

Good semp parenting Marilyn. You are watching over them.

I just came out of the operating room and I feel like the procedure was a success! Even though it'll be a little while before we know anything for sure, I feel confident that 'Honey' AKA 'More Honey' will pull through...

I'll take pictures tomorrow and edit my post.

Chad glad honey will be ok!

We await the news that the surgery was successful and the patient fully recovered.

Some of mine after the tops where lopped off.

This one is determined to bloom.

6 new offsets on that first one!

You think? I was thinking blooms. I like your idea Bev!!!!!

Julia, Isn't that all from one head? You got 6 "bloom stalks" from one head?

I thought your first pic looks like these old photos of a lop job that I did in 2013

I think it's just wait and see.

Ok, I till everyone I would come back and post pictures so I figured it was time for an update. I think I'm already starting to see growth on 'More Honey' after I lopped off the tops. It was starting to get dark when I took a few pics so I apologize for the dark pictures.

I do see a smidgen of growth; it's hopeful, Chad.