Re: Pruning Echium candicans (E. fastuosum): update
----- Original Message ----- From: Brian Ottway 
Hi,
As there seems to be a bit of an Echium thread at the moment, I thought that I would give you an update on how my severely pruned Echium candicans is doing. 

Bad news - it is 100% dead, absolutely dead, completely dead.
You may recall that what gave me reason to hope it would take a severe pruning was the presence of quite a lot of breaking buds way back on the old wood. After pruning these opened out and many more buds appeared. In all I guess there must have been in excess of one hundred swelling or opening buds. I was feeling very pleased with myself (smug?).
Then, over perhaps a three day period about a month after pruning, all the buds withered and died. No new buds have since appeared and I am sure that the plant is quite dead.
My working theory is that the roots require a reasonable leaf canopy to keep them functioning adequately, in contrast to other woody plants which can be safely hard-pruned. 

I ignored the advice of this forum and a price has been paid!!
Fortunately the three cuttings I took from the prunings have all rooted and are growing away healthily. 

Next time I promise I will listen!

Hi Brian
While tidying up a file I came across this and though this was sent to the list by you some considerable time ago I still think even at this late date one point is worth notimg about your experience and that was that the cuttings have been successful while the pruned parent did not make it.
I have so often observed that when dealing with such short-lived perennials which have become very woody taking cuttings usually gives a much better plant than one can ever get by pruning. I have myself kept some plants in this category shapely and youthful over several generations by this method. Moira
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