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#299780 Nov 8th, 2009 at 09:25 PM
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tjrundy Offline OP
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Hi there,

I was given a spiraling Yucca plant that was just out of control. I
got a lot of people advising me to just bite the bullet and lop off
the uncontrolled growth and see if the Yucca takes off. So, intrepidly
I took the hacksaw and went through the trunk. I repotted it, and put
it a nice aluminium planter.

This is what it now looks like:
http://img141.imageshack.us/img141/5711/dscf1844p.jpg

Now there was some speculation that it would bud, though it hasn't yet
(about 2 months ago since I lopped it's head off).

Someone mentioned that I should stab the stem with a screwdriver where
I want it to branch out - can anyone verify this? Is there anything I
should / could be doing to promote some leaf growth? The trunk remains
rigid, and there is water and shingle in the base of the planter to
produce some natural moisture...

I did manage to keep the head and put it into another planter, and
it's looking good, though I've no idea if it's rooting:
http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/167/dscf1929.jpg

So, please, if you have any idea what I should do, please advise. The
Yucca trunk is in a warm area with as much light as I can give it in
my flat - right by a SE facing window!

Thanks in advance,

Tom.

tjrundy #299822 Nov 9th, 2009 at 06:36 PM
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doesn't look like it was out of control in any way - that's the normal growth for that type of yucca.

did you allow the cut part to dry out and callous over before you planted it? if not, probably not a big deal and it'll probably still root...always better to let succulents dry/callous for a bit before planting (you'll know for next time :) )

as for the containers, very nice btw, i hope you've actually got the plants in plastic inserts that have drainage holes in them!!

yucca, being a succulent, doesn't like it's feet wet for too long, so, soil needs to be something very well-draining and there definitely should be drainage holes so excess water can work it's way out. always allow the soil to dry out quite well before giving a thorough watering again.

they really do best in unglazed clay pots.


EDIT

oh, the main trunk should sprout new growth at some point - not sure how long it'll take as i've never cut one! also, if you just did it, it may take a while since the best time of year to do this kind of thing.

best time to take cuttings and/or repot things is in spring - right before the weather heats up and they go into a growth spurt.


Last edited by Joclyn; Nov 9th, 2009 at 06:39 PM. Reason: forgot something

Zone 6b
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tjrundy Offline OP
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Hi,

I thought I'd update you with what happened after I lopped the top of
my Yucca off. It did nothing for 3 months, and then started sprouting
a new shoot which is growing really well :)

See the pic - http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/tjrundy/Plants#5422110231550560338.

So the advice to chop the top off was a good call - now I'm wondering
whether it's going to sprout another branch on the other side, or
whether it's going to follow its previously malformed desire to sprout
its 2nd branch at 90 degs (rather than 180) to the first.

Any ideas what I might be able to do about that?

Thanks,

Tom.

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no pic shows...

i'm glad it finally did something for ya, tho!! knew it would...now we know how long it takes :)

as for add'l shoots at odd angles, i think that's fairly normal. mine has a few like that, too.


Zone 6b

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