Bissetti prunig questions

[scott540]

Hi This is my my Bissetti. It' in a pot that's 4 x 2 x 2 1/2 feet deep, I wheel it in the house for winter. As you can see it got some really big tall shoots this year. Some are 7 feet tall
My questions is should I cut down some of the older smaller culms? Will that help the new ones and future new ones grow taller and thicker? This year's are almost twice and big as last years. Appreciate any comments or suggestions, thanks, Scott

[dependable]

I would leave it be for now so existing leaves can help feed new growth. If you want to prune it to tidy it up next fall when you bring it in, that would be a good time to do it.

[scott540]

Thanks, Can you explain how the existing leaves help new growth. I don;t know a lot about this and trying to learn. I was thinking if I pruned it, the plant would have more energy for the new shoots and future new shots. Also since it's a smaller area, it would make room for new bigger growth, Thanks

[dependable]

The existing growth is photo synthesizing and contributing to the growth of new shoots. The bigger the plant, the more momentum is has. The existing growth is already there, it is not using energy, it is producing it.

At least this is true for younger plants. You may want to thin it out and even root prune it if you leave it in the planter too long, but that will be later judging from vigor of new shoots.

[scott540]

Thanks!