DECAPITATED!

My 3-year old Euphorbia Trigona cutting has been doing extremely well, growing over an inch taller just this last summer alone. However, it became obvious that the lower section was not growing and the plant was becoming top-heavy. So, nervously, I decided to cut off the robust growth at the top of the plant in hopes it will root and continue to grow, while the bottom part will sprout new off-shoots.

Here's my illustration of the situation:

I'm a nerd. Get over it.

 I was pleasantly surprised to see healthy roots which had filled much of the pot.

 Scalpel...

 If you have the good fortune to own any of the varied and diverse members of the Euphorbia family, do be careful, as they will seep a white liquid if cut which can be irritating to the skin and toxic if ingested.

The bottom portion of the plant got repotted in a larger container with fresh soil. The top part will be left to dry and heal over before getting his own pot or joining his mother in her new pot.




Based on how fast this plant has grown in the last year, I am hoping he will look like this soon:

photo from here: http://onthewildslopes.tumblr.com/post/42213704895