Expert: Greg Simpson - 5/22/2007

Question
I've had a crown of thorns plant for approx 3-4 yrs. It flowered for the first 1-2 and never again. It is about 2' tall, has about 7-8 branches that are about 8" long with leaves almost only at the ends.  The branches are about an inch thick and the plant has lots of leaves and seems healthy though it goes thru difficult times during the winter months.  How can i get it to start flowering again? The flowers were an amazing red color.  I fertilize it sparingly but nothing seems to work.  Do i cut it back and how?

Answer
Anthony,

Plants flower in response to many stimulus and for some reason the conditions have not been optimal to flower. Normally plants flower in response to increasing hours of sunlight, but temperature and watering will also have an impact. Next year, try placing it in a dark room for a few weeks in January.


It may be too late this year to flower, or the process may be delayed. Don't change your fertilizing or watering schedule (if you have had it for 4 years then you are doing something right!) Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Greg