On these dates, when plants are somewhat more standing than normal, we listen to many people to talk about pruning, but we do not always understand their purpose or if it is really necessary. However, when spring comes our plants grow in a disorderly way or do not bloom as we expected, we realize that something we have not done well.
To get an idea, pruning is a key gardening technique that consists of cutting certain parts of the plant to stimulate its development, improve your health and enhance your flowering.
We explain the types of pruning that are usually used and how to apply them correctly so that your plant grows in an expert mode.
Types of pruning
If you decide to launch yourself, doing so correctly is essential for your plants to grow in a balanced way. The important thing to begin with is that you know that there are different types of pruning, each with a specific purpose, either to shape, eliminate damaged parts or stimulate flowering. We explain the main types of pruning and how to apply them correctly to avoid errors.
Training pruning: It is carried out during the first years of the plant to give it a balanced structure and encourage orderly growth. It is usually made, for example, fruit trees. Since the height of the cup and aspect that will take over the years is determined where you make these cuts. Depending on the species it will be done in one way or another.
Maintenance pruning: It is applied in mature plants to eliminate dry, sick or poorly oriented branches, promoting its vigor. In this way we will give an extra vigor to the plant to ‘recirculate’ its energy where it suits.
Flowering pruning: It focuses on flowers with flowers to stimulate new flowers and improve their appearance. It is, for example, the case of roses, which is recommended to prune at the end of winter to stimulate vigorous growth and an abundant flowering in spring. Use very sharp scissors and cut just above a outward -oriented outbreak, eliminate dry and weak branches. Pruning early you can remove floral buttons, reducing the flowering of the season.
How can I prune correctly?
Pruning correctly is key for the plant to recover and take advantage of pruning. It is not just about cutting the tuntún, but about doing it with technique and care.
- Eliminate dead or sick branches: inspect the plant well and locate the dry, broken or sick branches (those that have a dark color or creak when folding them). Leave remains of dead branches in the plant, also give it an ugly appearance, can attract pests and hinder its growth
- Clarify the branches: Identify those that cross or grow inwards and take them away to improve ventilation and allow light to reach all parts of the plant. Cutting too many internal branches can expose the plant in excess, so select well and are not afraid of falling short.
- Cut on a healthy outbreak: The best way to do it is to make a diagonal cut to a few millimeters above a outward -oriented outbreak. This will ensure that the new growth has an adequate direction and the plant grows with some coherence. For example, in fruit trees, such as apple, this method helps prevent branches from growing inland, which improves aeration and facilitates harvest.
- You cannot excessively: withdraw only one third of the plant to avoid weakening it and give it the necessary time to recover and continue to grow vigorously. In bushes such as lavender, pruning in excess can delay its recovery and make it produce less flowers in the next season, creating unnecessary stress in the plant, slowing down its growth or even causing its death.
When is the ideal time?
There is no single valid response, because each plant has its own rhythm. However, the key is to observe and know its life cycle. Most plants pruned at the end of winter or early spring, just before they wake up from the winter lethargy. It is the perfect time for them to heal well and grow with renewed energy. Let’s look at some differences between types of plants:
- Expected trees and shrubs: Wait for the intense cold to pass and do it before the first leaves appear. Thus you will direct its growth without interfering in its development.
- Perennial plants: When you notice outbreaks at the base, it is a sign that they are ready to regenerate and strengthen. Cut without fear and in a few months the plant will have the desired shape.
- Spring flowering plants: patience. You can’t until they finish blooming, if not, you could remove the buttons that will give the flowers next season.
It is also important to look at the state of the plant. If you do it in full flowering, you will spend the energy that should be used in the production of flowers or fruits, weakening unnecessarily. A pruning made at the wrong time can weaken the plant and affect its future development.
Tips for successful pruning
For pruning to be effective and does not end up being a drama, there are some tricks that can make a difference:
- Clean your tools before and after pruning: use a disinfectant solution such as bleach to prevent diseases from spreading from one plant to another.
- If you could large trees, be patient: make cuts in three steps to prevent the bark from tearing and the wound later to heal.
- Protect large wounds: it is not strictly necessary, but you can apply healing paste in thicker cuts to prevent infections and help the plant recover faster.
- Look how the plant responds: during the following days, look if it shows signs of stress or disease. If something is not going well, adjust your technique in the next pruning.
- Stimulates recovery with bio -stimulants: applying algae or amino acid extracts after pruning favors healing and regrowth, helping the plant overcome cutting stress.
Pruning with criteria and at the right time will make your plants grow more vigorous and healthy this spring. Don’t be afraid and encourage you to try it. The worst thing that can happen is that you are wrong and you get a good learning for the next pruning you do.
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