How to prune copiapoa krainziana

Only when diseased or dead tissue must be removed — any time of year. Excise dead or rotten sections with a sterile sharp blade, cutting to firm healthy tissue. Dust with cinnamon or sulphur, then keep the plant dry and warm until the wound seals.

Rarely — virtually no pruning required under normal conditions. Copiapoa krainziana, noted for its striking white spination, needs no pruning. Its solitary or slowly clustering form should never be cut back. Remove only dead, shrivelled, or rotten tissue using a sterilised blade. Cutting healthy ribs or areoles damages the plant and spoils its ornamental spines permanently.

Excise dead or rotten sections with a sterile sharp blade, cutting to firm healthy tissue. Dust with cinnamon or sulphur, then keep the plant dry and warm until the wound seals.