[Arid_gardener] RE: pruning desert ruellia

[Donald Garnett]

Paul,
 
It's a little early to prune Desert Ruellia now. Give it a couple more months.
Slightly frostbitten desert ruellia tends to grow back after a short dormant 
period. The best practice is to wait until you see where the new growth is
coming in, and then prune back the dead branches. If you have had a severe
freeze (below 25 degrees F) there may be enough damage that you can cut
to the ground (wait to see if new growth comes anyway). My experience is 
that this plant does not require much pruning.
 
Desert Ruellia has a natural shape that is attractive and requires little pruning.
If it starts looking a little large for its space you may consider cutting it back
by one-third. Avoid shearing like a hedge.
 
    Good luck,
    Don Garnett
    Tucson> ----------------------------------------------------------------------> > Message: 1> Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2008 13:02:26 -0700 (MST)> From: plcgencom42 at cox.net> Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page> To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>> Message-ID: <200801052002.m05K2QLG017661 at Ag.arizona.edu>> > Paul> 85382> plcgencom42 at cox.net> > Re Desert Ruellia - Is this the time (January)to trim? How short?> > Thank you,> > Paul> > > > > ------------------------------
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