It now almost perfectly mirrors the yucca rostrata and with winter around the corner it was decision time. I thought about moving it, replanting it there and cutting the main plant off. In the end I went with the final option and top cut it.
Doesn't look as good at the moment, but they seem to grow quickly for me, so in a year or so the two pups will be nice and big. The main trunk will be dried for a few days then potted up.
We have had such mild winters since these have been planted they haven't really been tested. The top should root quickly and then can be planted somewhere to go wild. Has anyone seen a really big clump of these?
Anyway the real benefit of cutting the main stem is that I can now use a simple cloche to cover that corner this winter.
It hasn't been covered before, but the aloe polyphylla is just too nice now and I should be able to rig the cloche into an L shape so it covers the aloe, the yuccas and the agave parryi. I'll probably set it up as a test and then take it down until we have cold or snow forecast, hopefully not for a long time yet.
I think topping it makes the whole area look balanced and clean.
ReplyDeleteThank you. I agree it is much cleaner, although I have been trying to relax a bit about my obsession over neatness. In this case i am thinking neat is best.
DeleteI'm so envious of your Aloe polyphylla. You must have found the right spot for it. I find them to be incredibly finnicky.
ReplyDeleteIt is strange isn't it, for one of the more hardy aloes, loves water, they do have a reputation for suddenly dieing. That one does seem to love that spot, lot sof sun, and I water it.
Delete