
Photo: Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Pruning guide · Houseplant
Blue candle: when and how to prune
Myrtillocactus geometrizans
Blue candle is best pruned in April–May.
| Pruning months | April–May |
|---|
Blue candle: when to prune it?
It is not really pruned. In April–May you can shorten a plant that is too tall or leaning, and you get cuttings at the same time.
Blue candle: how to prune it?
- Cut through a branch or the trunk at the height you want with a clean, sharp saw or knife, wearing thick gloves and using folded newspaper.
- Let the wound on the plant dry in the open air for a few days; new side branches often form below the cut.
- Cut away rotten or shrivelled parts back to healthy, green tissue.
- Use the cut pieces as cuttings; see propagation.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: April–May.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- A houseplant lives indoors, so wildlife hardly notices the pruning. Healthy clippings can go on the compost.
Caution: It has spines and is heavy and awkward to cut: wear thick gloves and protect your eyes.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Blue candle · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.