Pruning a dumb cane

Hi! I think I have let my Dumb Cane grow too tall and I am not sure how to proceed. Here is a picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/69653449@N06/6448455761/in/photostream . I am pretty sure it is a Dumb Cane, but might be wrong. I have had it for over a year. I just moved it and it really flopped over after riding in the back of a Uhaul, but it is also weak because it is so tall.

What exactly does it mean to prune it? I think I mostly understand the concept - take some off the top and it will grow back, but where do I make the cut? Will it really grow back if I cut it off below the leaves? I read somewhere that it would be better to prune it at the end of winter, because it will grow back better in the spring. Is that true even though it is indoors?

A second growth started since I got it but that is also too tall and if you can tell from the picture, it is totally flopped to the side and I probably want to prune that as well. This is my only survivor, so I hope I haven't messed it up too badly.

Thanks for any help!

Yes, Amanda it is a Dumb Cane or a Dieffenbachia not sure about that spelling. It appears that it does need cutting back. If it were mine, I would cut it just a couple nodes above the soil. Then, I would take several small pots Maybe 4 inchers, and I would cut the stalk up with one or 2 nodes in each length and lay them down in the soil of the small pots, and barely cover them. Maybe put them in a ziplock bag. for humidity.

Then the top, I would leave just a short stem on it and put it in water to root. Maybe 6 or 8 inches below the bottom leaf.

Make sense??

How come you didn't put this in Dave's propagation thread? Didn't think any of us would know? LOL Jen

Perhaps Amanda didn't know about it and is only open to subscribing members. They only joined today.

I agree on your plant being Dieffenbachia. Following the above instructions should yield good results. I wouldn't leave them in the baggie for too long, as they may rot.

And Welcome to Dave's, Amanda. Hope you enjoy your time here. Lots of great folks to help you.

hmmmmm, wonder if that means she renewed. She has been on all of our forums for quite a while. Posting etc. too. Jen

PS. You are right about the baggie, but they shouldn't get real dry either.

Another PS, possibly this is a different Amanda than the one we are communicating with on the other forums. Jen

I am a different Amanda - I just joined yesterday because I am trying to turn over a new leaf, : ), with my houseplants.

Those instructions do make sense - it's so cool that that works. Thanks!

Hope you enjoy your time here. I love it, it's great!