Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
rate this answer
Tuesday - August 02, 2011
From: Manahawkin, NJ
Region: Mid-Atlantic
Topic: Pruning, Cacti and Succulents
Title: How to remove plume from Yucca elephantipes in NJ?
Answered by: Jimmy Mills
QUESTION:
In Manahawkin, NJ, how do we cut plume (2" diameter) off 10' Yucca elephantipes?ANSWER:
Spineless yucca grows natively in arid regions of southern Mexico and Central America, but it is also a popular landscape plant as well as an indoor plant in in the US. Since it is spineless and not as hard to deal with as some of the other yuccas, removing the plume should not be a large problem.
Mr. Smarty Plants thinks you will need the following: a step ladder (maybe 8 ft. tall), gloves, a long sleeve shirt, and of course lopping shears.
Once the plant has ceased blooming, remove the stalk with shears about 3 inches above where it grows from the main stem. Some people suggest cutting the stalk at an angle so that water won’t puddle on the top of the cut stalk which can lead to rotting.
More Pruning Questions
Arrows and Hunting Dogs in Kentucky
December 09, 2009 - Mr. Smarty Plants--Is it normal for our arrowwood viburnum to give off a musky odour in the late fall? The smell reminds me of a wet hunting dog.
view the full question and answer
When to prune Texas betony (Stachys coccinea)
May 28, 2007 - I bought Texas Betony plants several years ago at Wildflower Days. They are thriving, but a bit leggy. Somewhere I read that they should be cut back several times during the year. Now I can't find...
view the full question and answer
Seeds of agave attenuata from San Diego CA
April 16, 2012 - After the agave attenuata bloom dried up there are seeds like thing hanging on the foxtail; do I leave it until it dies or do I chop that down. Are those seeds for propagation. The leaves of the plan...
view the full question and answer
Non-native Pride of Barbados from San Antonio
August 26, 2011 - I have some very successful wildly blooming "Dwarf Pride of Barbados" plants growing in my xeriscape garden. Each year I cut them back to the ground.
I have just purchased a new variety called "...
view the full question and answer
Lifespan and pruning of cedar elm in San Antonio
October 03, 2009 - How long do cedar elm trees live? How can you estimate the age of one, or tell if it is nearing the end of its normal lifespan? Do you have any recommendations for selecting someone to prune it proper...
view the full question and answer
| Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. |