In message , Kay Easton
writes
In article , Charlie
Pridham writes

"Chris Boulby" wrote in message
...
I grew Euphorbia mellifera from see last year very successfully. By
winter the three plants, planted in a pot, had achieved a height of
about 15 inches. I left it outside all winter. It is now spring and
the plants are very much alive but they look like miniature palm trees,
with long stems and just a few leaves on the tops. Should I just leave
them or cut them down to encourage new growth from below? I plan to put
them in the garden this spring anyway, but not sure whether to leave
them as is or not. TIA for any help,

I leave mine alone, but they grow from the base like other Euphorbia so
cutting stems will cause growth from the base (You can usually see a cluster
of new stems there)

Does it actually *cause* growth? ie - do you get more shoots because
you've pruned it? I tend to be a bit leery of pruning euphorbias because
of the leaking sap. I cut them back with gay abandon if they're getting
in my way, but I wouldn't cut a small plant.

Thanks everyone. I've taken a closer look at the bottom of the stems
(was looking for big shoots like my E. 'Great Dixter' does each year,
but now I see there are new shoots, though they are thin and wiry, right
at the base near the soil. I'll be patient (mother always said I was
born without it).
--
Chris Boulby National Collection of Diascias