Aiki_Joker
Shohin
Hey everyone. I got some advice here on internode spacing and started to experiment recently. Most know about the spacing scenario at different light levels. But I thought I'd share this anyway and apply it to speeding the process of branch growth and thickening.
If someone has a stump or cutting that they need branches on quickly they seem to grow out and thicken faster if in full to partial shade.
I grew these branches out to about 16 sets of leaves over a month then cut them back and hardened the plant from full shade to full sun. Now the foliage is compact and the branches are pretty much at the right thickness.
I find that branches don't thicken or grow as fast if in full sun. Makes sense really as the plants purpose is to optimise light ulilisation and in full sun it does not require to move it's leaves closer to a light source.
The lengthening of the internodal space serves this purpose without adding expensive biomass that the plant has no guarantee of supporting if it doesn't find the light it requires.
We can exploit this, but it requires good timing with this plant as it really shoots up and these thick branches are quite brittle on this plant. The other bourgie I have does not have such brittle branches.
Buds to branches in shade
Then to sun to develop shorter internodal spaces and compact foliage
Thanks to everyone for the advice here. Cadillactaste was the guy who pointed it out. I was familiar with the concept having studies plant and soil science back in the day, but not the plant so didn't know the potential.
This advice saved me a lot of time as I may have grown this out and had to cut it back many times to achieve what I was looking for :0)
If someone has a stump or cutting that they need branches on quickly they seem to grow out and thicken faster if in full to partial shade.
I grew these branches out to about 16 sets of leaves over a month then cut them back and hardened the plant from full shade to full sun. Now the foliage is compact and the branches are pretty much at the right thickness.
I find that branches don't thicken or grow as fast if in full sun. Makes sense really as the plants purpose is to optimise light ulilisation and in full sun it does not require to move it's leaves closer to a light source.
The lengthening of the internodal space serves this purpose without adding expensive biomass that the plant has no guarantee of supporting if it doesn't find the light it requires.
We can exploit this, but it requires good timing with this plant as it really shoots up and these thick branches are quite brittle on this plant. The other bourgie I have does not have such brittle branches.
Buds to branches in shade
Then to sun to develop shorter internodal spaces and compact foliage
Thanks to everyone for the advice here. Cadillactaste was the guy who pointed it out. I was familiar with the concept having studies plant and soil science back in the day, but not the plant so didn't know the potential.
This advice saved me a lot of time as I may have grown this out and had to cut it back many times to achieve what I was looking for :0)