Pruning outdoor plants It's a task that all amateur gardeners have to perform at some point. It's true that some species barely require this maintenance, but the vast majority of plants do require periodic maintenance.
Here's a complete guide with everything you need to know to successfully prune outdoor plants. Take note!
What is pruning?
Pruning is an action that consists of selectively remove certain parts of a plantFor example, dry branches or new shoots, serving a specific purpose.
It's often thought that pruning is done solely for aesthetic reasons, but this is a mistake. In reality, this activity is very important for the health and development of our plants.
Thanks to it, we can control the size of each plant, give it the desired shape, stimulate flowering, achieve more abundant fruiting, prevent diseases and pests, and even facilitate ventilation and the entry of light into the plant canopy.
Tools for pruning outdoor plants
To tackle this task, the first thing you need to do is make sure you have the right tools. Obviously, this depends on the species you're working with, as pruning an oak tree isn't the same as pruning a fruit tree or a lavender bush. However, there are a number of basic tools you shouldn't be without.
- Small scissors. They're perfect for cutting small branches and soft stems. It's important that the blades are sharp and that the lever mechanism works properly.
- Pruning saw. To make clean cuts that don't tear the wood. It's used on thicker branches that can't be removed with shears.
- Hedge trimmer. If you have shrubs at home, this tool is essential for giving them a symmetrical appearance and creating beautiful hedges.
- Pruner. To reach the highest areas of trees, pole pruners are the best solution.
To prune outdoor plants correctly, it's important to choose the right tool. Also, make sure the blades are clean, disinfected, and sharp before you begin working with them.
When is pruning carried out?
Pruning at the right time helps to minimize stress that the plant suffers and makes its recovery faster.
Although there are exceptions, The general rule is that pruning is carried out during the winter, which is when most trees and plants are in the dormant phase. This means they are not growing at that time.
During the spring some can be carried out lighter pruning necessary for plant maintenanceFor example, to remove wilted flowers or branches that may be diseased or dry.
It tienes fast-growing and excessively growing plants, you may also need to prune during the summer to prevent them from losing their shape or invading the space of other plants. However, this pruning should be fairly conservative, because cutting too much will weaken the plant and could lead to its death.
On In autumn it is best not to touch outdoor plants. This is when they are preparing for winter rest, and receiving a cut at this time can interfere with their natural cycle. Furthermore, autumn is more humid, which favors the development of fungi in wounds caused by cutting tools.
Types of pruning
From what we've seen so far, you've probably already deduced that there are different types of pruning, each with a different purpose.
Formation pruning
It takes place during the first years of the plant's life, to guide their growth and give them the desired structure. It's essential for trees and shrubs to develop a strong and balanced base.
Maintenance pruning
It is practiced regularly to maintain the shape and health of the plantWhat we do is remove dry, diseased, crossed, or misaligned branches. This way, both air and light can better reach all the foliage.
In addition to improving the health of the plant, this type of pruning also helps maintain its aesthetics.
Rejuvenation pruning
In plants that live for many years, such as ivy, make a rejuvenation pruning is always a good option.
It's about making a drastic pruning to stimulate the appearance of new shoots from the base or from secondary branches.
Flowering/fruiting pruning
It seeks to increase the production of flowers or fruits and, to do so, they are selectively eliminated. branches that have already produced or that are deteriorated. This allows the plant to dedicate more energy to producing flowers or fruits.
thinning pruning
focuses on remove internal branches to lighten the canopy and promote ventilation. This is done on very leafy plants and trees.
Techniques for pruning outdoor plants
It is important to apply the proper technique to avoid causing unnecessary damage to the plants and maximize the benefits of each cut.
Keep these basic rules in mind:
- Make the cuts at a 45-degree angle, just above an outward-facing bud. This way, the new shoot grows in the right direction.
- Do not tear the branches, because this creates an irregular wound that compromises the plant's health. It's better to make several small cuts rather than one large or abrupt cut.
- Do not remove more than 30% of the leaf mass in a single session, so that the plant is not too weakened.
- For large wounds, apply a little healing or sealing paste. to reduce the risk of infections.
- Clean and disinfect tools both before and after each use.
Pruning outdoor plants isn't a complicated task, but it does require some time and dedication. If you do it right, you'll be amazed at the results when you see your plant grow even more beautiful and healthy.