Australis - to chop or not to chop...

Hi guys

Ok, so my australis is off attempting to grow all the way to the top of my window and also trying to start relations with the retusa hanging next to it. I would ideally like to chop off the new growth and root it.

However, I am a little worried that chopping off all the new growth will result in no flowers for me. The plant should be relatively rootbound so I'm hoping for flowers this year. So - do the new flowers come from old growth or new growth? Anyone know?

Thanks in advance

Hills :)

Hills, the peduncles will form on new growth. Just as the leaves are forming, if there will be a peduncle at that node you will see it just as the new leaves become visible, as a tiny branch-like thing which will grow longer as the leaves develop. With my australis', I let the new shoots grow upwards until they are long enough to wrap around the support (in your case a hoop) and the tip will again be at the top, before fastening it down. It will grow more vigorously if you can keep the tip higher than the rest of the plant. As the plant matures it will produce peduncles more regularly.

TOTALLY agree with Mark....and you won't be sorry!!!