Any overgrown, or struggling plant will benefit from a little
pruning. Even a healthy plant benefits by a trimming from time to time. It
doesn't matter whether it's a tree or a shrub, a bush, flowers, or your
vegetable plants. They all benefit by pruning and trimming.
Pruning makes your plant look better and feel better too! It allows
the plant's "support system" to send vital energy and nutrients a
smaller area and to newer, more vigorous growth. The result - a lusher,
healthier, and better looking plant!
There are several reasons to prune plants:
- To remove dead, weak, or unsightly branches.
- To re-invigorate plant growth...new leaves and branches grow faster.
- To reshape the plant into a more desirable shape.
- To produce denser, bushier appearance.
- To thin out growth, providing more air circulation and light.
- To limit plant size.
How and What to Prune:
Dead, dying and unsightly
limbs and branches
Inspect your plants regularly. Remove any branches or stems that fit
this category right away, and at any time of year. They are only sapping plant
energy, and are unsightly in appearance. Cut away to either a branch or stem,
or to where live, healthy growth exists.
Pruning Branches
Use a sharp pruner or pruning saw. Cut the branch as close to the
main stem or trunk as possible. Cut parallel to the trunk. If the branch is big
and you are using a saw, begin with a small slit from the bottom side of the
branch. Then, go to the top of the branch and begin sawing. This will minimize
the tearing of additional bark, if the branch breaks and falls while cutting.
Thinning thick bushes and
plants
Remove any thin and spindly stems right down to the ground, or base
of the plant. Remove older branches to promote new growth, again right to the
base of the plant. As a rule of thumb, when thinning bushes, remove no more
than 1/4 to 1/3 of the stems a year.
Pruning transplants
When pruning transplants, the rule of thumb is to trim off 1/3 of
the plant before you move it. After transplanting, your plant focuses upon re-growing
and repairing it's root system. The remaining roots will have less plant to
support. It will also result in a bushier plant later on.
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