This pruning tutorial shows you how to prune ctenanthe. This houseplant becomes rangy and leggy and will need pruning. If you want to shape ctenanthe and shorten its length, this video will show you how to do so. Ctenanthe grows differently than other plants, so pruning ctenanthe can be difficult and confusing. Find out how to safely and effectively prune ctenanthe in this video.
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Today, I’m going to talk about pruning Ctenanthe. I get a lot of questions about pruning this plant, and for good reason—it’s not always clear what you should do.
First of all, these plants are a lot like puppies. They look really cute and mounded when they’re young, but they do grow up and become more rangy. In their native habitat, they naturally grow three to four feet tall. I have a care video for Ctenanthe that I’ll link to below, along with any other videos I mention.
So, for the purpose of this video, we’re focusing on how to prune your Ctenanthe to make it a little less rangy. As mentioned in many of my pruning videos, you don’t want to prune back more than one-third of any plant at a time, as it can put it into shock or even kill it. With this plant, it’s a bit tricky because you want to maintain its form.
Here’s what you can do to get it under control:
Remove Dead or Dying Branches: Start by cutting out any dead or dying branches right down to the base of the stem. For instance, if you have a leaf that’s not looking good, cut it back to the base.
Formative Pruning: Before you do any formative pruning, get rid of the dead stuff and any branches that are hanging sideways. These are the first things to go. Ctenanthe will produce new growth from the soil line (the rhizome), so you can cut it back and it will grow back.
Cutting Back for Size: Some people choose to cut the whole plant down to make it shorter. This will take several months for it to come back, but it’s an option. You would cut back to just above a leaf or at the base of the stem.
Maintaining Balance: If you have some branches that are significantly taller than others, you can prune those back to maintain balance. Look for the center of a fan-shaped growth and remove the longest piece.
Trimming Tall Branches: For branches that are sticking up higher than the others, you can cut them back to a lower point, ideally leaving a leaf or node behind. This will help the plant stay more compact.
Using Tie Tape: To make it easier to work on your plant, you can use green tie tape to separate the branches and hold them in place. This is helpful for managing larger or unruly plants.
Remember, pruning is like getting a haircut—it’s better to err on the side of caution. Take a little bit off, assess the plant, and make sure it looks good before making more cuts. You can’t glue the parts back on, so go slowly.
Prune no more than one-third at any one time, and let the plant recover before pruning again. It’s generally better to prune in late winter, spring, or early summer rather than in winter.
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Pruning Ctenanthe: Your Questions Answered
What is the best way to start pruning Ctenanthe?
Start by cutting out any dead or dying branches right down to the base of the stem. For instance, if you have a leaf that’s not looking good, cut it back to the base.
What is formative pruning for Ctenanthe?
Formative pruning involves removing the dead stuff and any branches that are hanging sideways. This is the first step before doing any other pruning. Ctenanthe will produce new growth from the soil line (the rhizome), so cutting it back will encourage new growth.
Can I cut the whole Ctenanthe plant down to make it shorter?
Yes, you can cut the whole plant down to make it shorter. This will take several months for the plant to grow back. You would cut back to just above a leaf or at the base of the stem.
How do I maintain balance in my Ctenanthe plant?
If you have branches that are significantly taller than others, you can prune those back to maintain balance. Look for the center of a fan-shaped growth and remove the longest piece.
How should I trim tall branches on Ctenanthe?
For branches that are sticking up higher than others, you can cut them back to a lower point, ideally leaving a leaf or node behind. This will help the plant stay more compact.
What is the purpose of using tie tape on Ctenanthe?
Using green tie tape can help separate and manage the branches, especially if the plant is larger or unruly. It makes it easier to work on the plant and keep it in place.
When is the best time to prune Ctenanthe?
It’s generally better to prune in late winter, spring, or early summer rather than in winter. Avoid pruning more than one-third of the plant at any one time, and let the plant recover before pruning again.
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