How to prune carrion flower (stapelia gigantea)

After flowering (late summer to autumn) for deadheading; spring for thinning and removing rot. Cut spent flower stalks at the stem junction with clean scissors. Remove rotted or dead stems with a clean knife, cutting back to firm green tissue. Let any cut surface callus for several days before watering.

Annually after flowering, plus as needed to remove rot. Carrion Flower benefits from light pruning. Remove spent flower stems once blooms fade — left on they can harbour rot. Cut away any stems that have turned black and mushy (a sign of rot) well above the damaged section. Thinning overcrowded stems from the base encourages better airflow and more blooms on a dense clump.

Cut spent flower stalks at the stem junction with clean scissors. Remove rotted or dead stems with a clean knife, cutting back to firm green tissue. Let any cut surface callus for several days before watering.