The Yucca, which belongs to the agave family, can grow up to five meters high even when grown in pots if it is well cared for. However, since living rooms rarely have ceilings of this height, cutting back is unavoidable. The same applies if the yucca only produces long and thin shoots - then it doesn't get enough light and has to be cut. It will then grow stronger and he althier again - provided, of course, that it gets a new, brighter location.
Why should you seal the yucca palm after cutting?
Sealing the cut surfaces of a yucca palm after cutting is useful to prevent drying out and the formation of cracks. It also protects the plant from invading fungal spores or pathogens. Use tree or candle wax or special wound closure products for woody plants.
Cutting yucca and sealing cut surfaces
Cutting the yucca palm is actually very simple: Using a sharp knife (a bread knife with a fine saw edge is ideal) or a saw, you first cut off the crown and finally divide the trunk into at least ten centimeters long pieces - up to the height at which you want to leave the mother plant.
- If you want to root the individual pieces, remember carefully where is up and where is down.
- This can be done more easily using markers.
- Now seal the upper part where the plant should sprout again.
- You can use tree or candle wax as well as special wound closure products for trees.
- Tea lights can be used very well for this purpose.
- The lower part, however, remains unsealed; the roots are supposed to sprout from it.
- Plant the cuttings immediately in pots with a sand-soil mixture.
- Place this in a warm and bright place
- and always keep the substrate slightly moist.
After a few weeks to months (sometimes it takes a little patience) you can see from newly developing shoots that roots must also have formed.
Why sealing makes sense
Basically, sealing is not actually necessary and can be omitted - the plant will still sprout. However, in this case the upper end will look rather unsightly as the open wound will dry out and cracks may form. The new shoots will most likely appear below the cut surface. The wax prevents the stump from drying and also ensures that fungal spores and other pathogens cannot penetrate.
Tip
Always wear gloves when cutting and handling the yucca - the leaves are often serrated and can be very sharp.
