I did cut off the long branch, two of them in fact. I forgot to cut on the diagonal but it healed anyway. I'm not sure the cuttings will make it, I think they are too wet. We've had a lot of early rain. I'm really happy with the way the plant looks though, there are new branches coming out all around both cuts. Have a look.
Doris, since it's just the start of the growing season;have you ever considered dipping a stem that you've cut in root hormone and planting it? I'd find it interesting to do that and maybe cover it with something in the winter just to see if it lives. If it does not, nothing lost since you were probably going to trash it anyway.
Why at a diagonal with all other pruning that i have read it states to cut for the smallest cut and it will heal over faster i am not understanding the diagonal thing can someone explain please?
There is only one reason for cutting on the diagonal and that is so the cut will shed water.I think that is one of those"pearls of wisdom" that just doesn't matter.
Name: Melissa E. Keyes St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Zone 11+
So I cut a stem straight and one side has a new stem, and there's still the ugly cut. Diagonal, with attention to leaf scars/new limbs, is the way to go. Photos sometime in the next week or so---
but it healed anyway. I'm not sure the cuttings will make it, I think they are too wet. We've had a lot of early rain. I'm really happy with the way the plant looks though, there are new branches coming out all around both cuts. Have a look.
