How to make a plant grow short and wide?

[gr33ntea]

Hi bit of a broad question, i know pereskiopsis in different environments can look very different (varying spine size, varying hair, varying leaf width)
I was wondering what kind of conditions to i have to put my Pereskia Aculeata 'Godseffiana' in so they grow short and wide branches?

I want to make it as suitable as possible for grafting.

[Alice]

Full sun, well fed, not too much water.

[gr33ntea]

And this will make the plants fat and stumpy?

I'll try it out, a control group and one in the sun with not too much water.

Edited February 25, 2014 by gr33ntea

[prier]

Don't feed it! if you want it to be fat, you just need to put in the years.

[hostilis]

if you want it to be suitable for grafting then full sun may make it fat, but it's also going to make it hard as hell. Like the consistency of actual wood i would imagine. Especially with pereskia.

[gr33ntea]

if you want it to be suitable for grafting then full sun may make it fat, but it's also going to make it hard as hell. Like the consistency of actual wood i would imagine. Especially with pereskia.

Yeah i was thinking of that. I think i will put it in the shade, it already is fat enough for a seedling. Plus someone said that Pereskia Aculeata 'Godseffiana' is unsuitable for grafting you need the one that isnt 'Godseffiana'

But i must try anyway

[Alice]

How is a plant going to grow without food? If you want it to fatten up, it needs to be fed.

And if it is well fed and has adequate (but not excessive) water, it shouldn't become woody. Woodyness is often a result of slow starved growth (think old neglected pot plant out the back of granny's patio that never gets any attention). A well fed plant in optimum conditions should have no need to become woody.

And be careful with the shade, etiolation occurs in low light, not full sun.