Cut off yucca palm: this is how you cut down palms that have become too tall

• Reasons for the pruning
• time
• material requirements
• Instructions - Rejuvenate
• Cut off stem parts
• wound sealing

The Yucca palm is known for its rapid height growth, but not always is this desirable. How to properly cut an overgrown palmlilie, you will learn in this article!

Although a tall Yucca palm is a decorative eye-catcher, its size can also be a problem. If you want to avoid the problem of lack of space, you should cut back his palm leaves regularly. In addition, the cutting of the plant promotes the new shoot and at the same time forms the first step in a successful propagation.

Reasons for the pruning

The Yucca palm is considered very vigorous and can reach a stature height of up to five meters with proper care. Who cultivates the palm leaf in the living room, is usually not around around to cut the plant. Because on the one hand, it can become quite expansive and on the other hand reach the ceiling. However, when the crown hits the ceiling, it seeks a lateral growth path. This usually leads to an unnatural side growth, which in turn leads to a shift in weight and subsequently to the tilting of the plant. In addition to the height regulation, there are also the following reasons for pruning:

• promotes growth
• Yucca palm trees can thin out over time
• This will make them less leaves
• Lack of light causes thin stems
• these could bend down
• regular cut ensures thick tree trunk
• in some diseases / pests a pruning is useful

time

A pruning is possible all year round, however, the Yucca palm should preferably be cut between late March to mid-May. At this time, the metabolism of the plant is still limited and it is not yet fully in the juice. It therefore copes better with the cut, because on the one hand it does not bleed too much and on the other hand it heals the resulting cuts more quickly. However, if you want to cut your palmlilie in winter or summer, consider the following:

• In the summer, the plant collects energy for hibernation
• Cutting in summer means less power in winter
• in winter, the plant is in the dormancy
• An increase by the trunk pieces is hardly possible

In the spring, the Palmlilie has finished its hibernation and is about to budge. Due to the imminent start of growth it has an additional energy boost, which can be ideally used in a cut in the spring. Because cutting off in the spring, the yucca palm can be multiplied at the same time.

material requirements

When choosing the right cutting tool, keep in mind that the stem of the yucca palm is extremely firm. To cut the palm-like tree trunk therefore really sharp cutting tool is needed. This not only makes the work easier, but at the same time prevents the cuts from fraying. To shorten the firm tree trunk, for example, a stable fretsaw or a sharp bread knife is suitable. In addition, it is advisable to straighten the resulting cut surfaces. For this purpose, a commercial knife with a smooth cutting surface can be used. In addition to the cutting tool, the following utensils are also required for shortening:

• working gloves
• protect against the sharp edges of leaves
• Pots with water drainage
• Substrate, for example palm soil
• or a mixture of potting soil, perlite and sand
• Potsherds, grit or pebbles for drainage
• Wound closure agents, such as tree wax or candle wax

Instructions - Rejuvenate

Yucca palm trees are not only extremely cut tolerant, but can also be cut at any height. This is of course an advantage for the owners of the palm-like plants, because they can always trim to the desired height and thus make "fit". The pruning of the Palmlilie is relatively uncomplicated, however, it can come in particular with tall copies to inhibitions before the cut. However, it should always be remembered that the plant is extremely cut compatible and relatively quickly forms new shoots. Shortening the plant can not be done with a single cut, but can be done step by step as follows:

• trim too long shoots
• Cut the trunk to the desired height
• especially long logs divide into several pieces
• It is best to always remove 20-30 cm long segments
• The trunk must not be foliage afterwards
• so leave some leaves to it
• but remove withered leaves
• Straighten the interface
• finally seal the wound edges

Tip: In order to promote the re-emergence, it is advisable to repot the yucca palm after the cut. It can either remain in the same pot, or be placed in a slightly larger vessel. It is important that fresh substrate is used!

Cut off stem parts

The rejuvenation of the yucca palm is also the ideal time to multiply the plant. Because the truncated trunk segments can be easily potted and attract to new yucca palms. For this purpose, it is advisable to mark the top of each stock piece with a felt-tip pen. Then the segments are planted as follows:

• cut off all fronds
• remove the lower leaves
• otherwise these could start to rot
• there should be some kind of stump left
• Fill pot with substrate
• Put the stump in the ground with the underside
• fill in some soil and press down
• pour with room warm water

Tip: Cut Yucca palm trees should never be exposed to direct sunlight. It is better to put them in a partially shaded place for the first time.

wound sealing

The yucca palm is considered to be good cut tolerant, yet it may happen that she is sensitive to the cut. Therefore, it is advisable to support wound healing with a wound sealant. Because the seal recovers the plant faster and dehydration of the trunk is prevented. In addition, the wound seal ensures that no moisture can accumulate in the wound edges. This in turn minimizes the risk of fungal infections and pest infestations. If you want to seal the cuts, it is best to use tree or candle wax and apply it as follows:

• Heat tree wax
• attach to the cut surface
• but not on the entire wound area
• just brush on the edges of the wound
• alternatively light a candle
• and gently drop the wax on the interface

Tip: As an alternative to tree or candle wax is also a conventional wound closure agent for woody cut.