How much trimming for plants

**yok** · 10th May 2003, 10:13

How do you keep the plants growing in an orderly manner? For a maintenance prune, how far down should I trim a plant, for example Rotala wallichii? Near surface, mid-way, or all the way? Do you guys usually prune all stalks or alternate stalks?

**checkerboard** · 11th May 2003, 09:21

for trimming stem plants, you might want to consider is you want them bushier or retain teh way they are. if you want a bushier area, just cut off tht top and more shoots will grow, but generally i prefer to replant the top (because top cuttings grow stronger).

as for how long each individual stalks are, depends on you. some plants grow fast, might want to cut off more. if you want to terrace your plants, then my method is to arrange them in a row and cut diagonally downwards.

be careful not to cut too short till it is shaded by other plants.

as for cutting alternate stalks, i do not practice it, but really up to you.