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Should I cut?

For discussion on all Haworthiad type plants - open to all.
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EdMcKenna
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Should I cut?

Post by EdMcKenna »

Still in my first year of growing Haworthias. They flowered in the greenhouse and being unsure of tolerance have now brought them indoors for the winter to an East facing window.
A Haworthia cooperi var pilifera is now throwing up a flower, should I leave this or chop it and let the plant conserve energy?
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Diane
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by Diane »

I regularly chop flower stems of Haworthias, as they are pretty insignificant, so i would have no hesitation in giving it the chop.
Diane - member of Kingston branch

Growing cacti - balm to the soul!
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el48tel
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by el48tel »

I agree with Diane. Unless you want to attempt seed production the plant flowers can be superficial and often straggly. My wife insists that Haworthia in the house are trimmed because they are not house trained.
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs. Recently discovered gorgeous Gasteria.
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Stuart
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by Stuart »

I remove Aloe and Haworthia flower stems at this time of year as the flowers often develop botrytis as they age.

Stuart
Herts Mike
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by Herts Mike »

If you remove Aloe flowers you lose a lovely floral display in winter, part of the reason for growing them.
In all my years of Aloe growing I’ve never seen botrytis on flowers.
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EdMcKenna
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by EdMcKenna »

Thank you all for your replies, my feeling was to cut it to save the plants energy.
I'm nit attempting seeds and where its situated any flowers would not be appreciated so I'll cut it.
Thanks again 👍🏻
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Stuart
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by Stuart »

DSCF8529 - Copy.JPG
These were 'flowering' today. It usually happens over the colder months with Aloes, Haworthias and Adromischus. I keep the temperature at about 3C min but there's no air movement when the heaters are off. These were in the 40ft x 10ft greenhouse, it's probably the lowest humidity of the four greenhouses but it has been gloomy weather for a long time and not much sun to heat things up during the day.

Stuart
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EdMcKenna
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Re: Should I cut?

Post by EdMcKenna »

Is that botrytis? Always a fear when there are cacti with flowers and bud remnants still present over winter. It's not always easy to have the vents and doors open as much as I'd like. Today temperatures ok, wind too much 😵‍💫
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