Question
QUESTION: I have had a yucca cane for about 8 years and it's become way too big. The shoots at the top are very long and over the last few weeks they have started going down, most likely because they are too heavy.

I would like to prune the shoots, however I am not sure whether I should cut them entirely from the main stem or leave a few inches. Most of the shoots on my yucca plant are brown/no leaves for 3-4 inches, the leaves start after that.

Thanks!

ANSWER: Voicu,

I suggest that you prune the shoots off entirely and use them to start another plant in a separate pot. They look good if there are 3 or 4 per a 10-12 inch pot. Before you cut the canes off you need to get the new pot and potting soil along with a bag of builders sand. Mix the potting soil and the sand 50/50 and fill the pot. Also purchase a bottle of rooting hormone at your garden center where you purchase your soil and sand such as Lowes or Home Depot. Then cut off the canes and remove the leaves on the lower 6 inches of the stems. Then dip the cut stems in the rooting hormone and then insert the cutting in the new pot of soil. It will look best if your 4 plants are in the pot in sort of a box pattern and if the cuttings are each different heights . I have one that is about 27 years old and I have restarted it many times following the above instructions. If you have any questions feel free to write again. Good luck.

Darlene

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks Darlene!

One more thing: what about the main stem? Will it sprout new shoots?

Regards,
Voicu

Answer
Voicu,

The definitive answer is probably! If the temperatures are above 50 degrees at night in your area set it outside where it will get sun most of the day. If it is not warm enough yet set it in the sunniest location indoors. Warm sun will help induce it to put out new sprouts. As long as it is healthy it should produce a new round of sprouts so you can do this again in a couple of years. Good luck.

Darlene