autumn joy

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debi_z Springfield, MA(Zone 6a) Aug 31, 2003

when is the best time to cut back an autumn joy sedum? mine are getting too big and need to be made smaller. they are blooming now. help!!!! i have no idea how to do these plants.

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Wandasflowers Cedar Rapids, IA(Zone 5a) Aug 31, 2003

I cage mine each spring with the cut off bottom portion of a tomato cage. I dig & remove anything growing outside the caged areas. This method gives them support when it's really hot or the heavy blooms make them lay all over the place. You could just snap some of them off right now...
And give to friends & stick them in the dirt to start new clumps.

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debi_z Springfield, MA(Zone 6a) Aug 31, 2003

thanks wanda

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NoH2O Everson, WA(Zone 8a) Sep 01, 2003

Debi, in May I pinch mine back by 1/3. That makes them much fuller and a little shorter so that I don't need to stake them when they bloom.

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debi_z Springfield, MA(Zone 6a) Sep 01, 2003

i have never had to stake mine and they are getting really wide now. much to wide for the areas i have them in. i would however like to do this "right", so that my other plants have room for there roots to grow and the autumn joy isn't taking up all the available soil and nutrients.

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lupinelover Grove City, OH(Zone 6a) Sep 01, 2003

Early spring is the best time to dig up and make a significant reduction in size. That is when they are in the rosette stage. I have done it other times of the year, but the stems are very fragile, and the clump just doesn't recover its good looks that year.

Dig up the entire clump when the ground has thawed, cut it into as small pieces as you want, and re-plant each; if the center is woody, discard it. I have gotten at least 10 good-sized clumps of sedums this way.

If the clump is severely out-growing its space now, you can cut off individual stalks from the center or edges of the clump to prevent them smothering near-by plants. Re-plant these stalks and each will root and grow.

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Wandasflowers Cedar Rapids, IA(Zone 5a) Sep 01, 2003

I didn't know you could pinch them back like mums. Well! Learn something new each day! Thanks noh20!

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