How to Prune a Jatropha Podagrica
The Jatropha Podagrica plant is known by many names, including the Buddha belly plant, Guatemalan rhubarb and gout plant. It is a popular choice for bonsai gardening but grows to any size container. Known to bloom year-round, the plant is famous for its red or yellow star-shaped flowers. It is native to the tropical Americas, but has become an ornamental plant all over the world. The stem is poisonous if swallowed by humans in its pure form. Proper pruning will allow the plant to grow fruit and increase the seed yield. The winter season is the best time for pruning, specifically January and February, at this time the plant will be dormant. The first pruning should occur within six months of planting. The second pruning completed during winter of the second year. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Decide if your plant needs pruning. The criteria for pruning includes more than 1 1/2-inch stem diameter with plant height of more than 2 feet above the soil. If the plant has not reached these dimensions, pinch the end off each shoot. This will promote growth and encourage branching. For larger Jatrophas, prune branches that go beyond 6 feet tall, the ideal size for a Jatropha Podagrica plant.
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Cut away any dead or diseased stems. Cut the stems away with a good clean sharp knife at a 45-degree angle. Be careful not to split the branches or bark while cutting. This can damage the plant.
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Remove the old leaves from the pruned stem.
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Cover the cut stumps of the plant with soil to prevent loss of moisture and fungal attack.
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Put all the pruned sections around the stump as mulch. Throw away diseased or damaged parts of the plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Throughout the year, pinch off any yellow or brown leaves to help promote healthy growth.
Improper pruning techniques can seriously harm the plant and may kill it.
Never use a blunt knife to prune. You will cause splitting of the bark and open the plant to infection.
If you split the stem, re-cut in a lower place. Never leave spit branches hanging, as it invites disease and infection.
