Okay, so I’ve got this pencil cactus, and it was getting way out of hand. It was all long and leggy, and honestly, it looked a little sad. I knew I had to prune it, but I was a bit nervous. I’d never done it before!
First, I gathered my supplies. I got some sharp pruning shears, some thick gloves – gotta protect yourself from that irritating sap, you know? – and a newspaper to catch any fallen bits.
Getting Started
I put on my gloves, took a deep breath, and started inspecting the plant. I decided to start with the longest, most unruly branches. The goal was to give it a more balanced shape and also to encourage some new, bushier growth.
Making the Cuts
I made sure my shears were clean – I wiped them down with a bit of rubbing alcohol – and then I started snipping. I cut each branch just above a node, which is where a new branch can sprout from. I tried to make clean cuts, not jagged ones, to help the plant heal better. I also made sure the angle of the cutting is downward.
- Identify branches for removal
- Sterilize pruning shears
- Cut above a node
- Trim at an angle
Cleaning Up
As I pruned, I placed the cuttings on the newspaper. Man, that sap is no joke! It’s milky and sticky, and I definitely didn’t want to get it on anything. Once I was done, I carefully wrapped up the newspaper and tossed it in the trash.
After pruning, I cleaned my tools with soap.
The Result
Honestly, it looked a bit bare at first. But I knew it was for the best. Now, a few weeks later, I’m already seeing new growth! It’s starting to fill out nicely, and it looks so much healthier. I’m pretty proud of myself for taking the plunge and pruning my pencil cactus. It was a bit intimidating at first, but totally worth it in the end!
