Pruning is an important step in plant maintenance. It helps maintain the health, shape, and vitality of your greenery. In this guide, we provide a step-by-step guide to plant pruning, giving you the basics on how to ensure your plants thrive in order to create a garden or landscape that matches your style and aesthetics.
Step 1: Understand the Plant
Different plants have different growth habits, flowering patterns, and responses to pruning. For instance, roses may benefit from regular pruning to promote new growth and flowering while evergreen shrubs may only require occasional shaping to maintain their form.
So, with that in mind, you need to understand your plant better before you start pruning. Consider their growth characteristics – whether they are fast growers (which means frequent shaping) or slow growers (which means less intervention).
Additionally, find out whether your plants flower on new or old growth. You have to make sure you prune at the right time to avoid diminished flowering or even damage to the plant. Take note of these factors when you decide to do some plant maintenance so you can proceed with pruning with confidence that it will benefit your greenery.
Step 2: Select the Right Tools
Having the right tools is important when pruning to make plant maintenance more efficient and effective. Below are the essential tools you’ll need for plant pruning:
- Hand Pruners – Known as secateurs, they are ideal for cutting small branches and stems up to 2 cm thick. Make sure they have sharp blades and comfortable handles to minimise hand fatigue during prolonged use.
- Loppers – These are designed to cut thicker branches up to 5 cm in diameter. They have long handles and a bypass or anvil-cutting mechanism that provide leverage and power.
- Pruning Saw – For branches too thick for loppers, a pruning saw is your best bet. They have sharp, serrated blades that are designed to cut through branches up to several cm in diameter.
- Hedge Shears – As its name suggests, these shears are for pruning hedges or shaping shrubs. They feature large, straight-bladed shears that make it easy to trim foliage quickly and uniformly.
- Gloves – Of course, for your safety, remember to always wear gloves. Choose gloves that fit well and provide protection against thorns, sharp branches, and other hazards while pruning.
If you’re just getting started with pruning, the list above provides the essential tools to have before you start plant maintenance. Be diligent with your research and ask the right people for advice when unsure about what tool to purchase and use.
Step 3: Identify Dead or Diseased Branches
First and foremost, pruning is not just about beautifying your plants and garden in general. In fact, its first goal should be to get rid of dead and diseased branches to ensure the continued health of your plants.
Inspect your plants for signs of dead or diseased branches, such as brittle, dry wood, lack of buds or leaves, or discolourations. Dead branches may show some signs of decay, including soft spots or fungal growth. Meanwhile, diseased branches may exhibit symptoms such as spots, lesions, or unusual growth.
When you identify these branches, promptly remove them to prevent the spread of disease. Use clean, sharp pruning tools such as the ones listed previously. Make precise cuts close to the branch collar, the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or another branch.
Removing dead or diseased branches should be the first step of pruning. This will make plant maintenance effective and encourage healthy growth in your plants.
Step 4: Remove Suckers and Water Sprouts
Often the most overlooked part of plant maintenance is removing suckers and water sprouts.
To start, suckers are the pesky shoots that emerge from the base of the plant or from its roots. On the other hand, water sprouts are vertical shoots that grow from branches. They may seem harmless, but allowing them to stay can divert nutrients away from the main plant, which will affect its growth and health.
So, when you see these unwanted growths, make sure to remove them. It will not only improve your plant’s health but also its aesthetic appeal. Use sharp, clean pruning tools to make precise cuts close to the base or branch collar. Take note not to damage surrounding tissue, and always dispose of the pruned suckers and sprouts to prevent the spread of disease.
Step 5: Prune Crossing or Rubbing Branches
When branches cross or rub against each other, they create friction, leading to damage and even providing entry points for pests and diseases. This is why pruning these crossing or rubbing branches should be part of your routine during plant maintenance.
Begin by carefully inspecting the plant’s canopy. Check whether there are branches that intersect or come into contact with each other. Once you’ve identified these branches, decide which one to remove. Generally, choose the branch that is less dominant. Use sharp pruning shears or a pruning saw to make clean cuts close to the branch collar to ensure minimal damage to the plant.
Step 6: Shape the Plant
Now that you have removed the problematic issues that may affect your plant’s growth, it’s time to focus on the aesthetics, which also leads to overall improved health.
To shape your plant, first, observe its natural growth habits so you won’t go against its natural forms during and after pruning. Then, use pruning techniques to maintain the desired shape and size of the plant. Whether it’s a neat, formal hedge or a more organic, natural shape, you can learn pruning techniques to achieve the shape you want.
Other than intersecting branches, you may also remove excess branches to thin out overcrowded areas and allow for better nutrient distribution.
From clean, symmetrical lines to a more relaxed, informal look, pruning allows you to shape your plants that suit your taste and the aesthetic that you have planned for your garden or landscape. Just make sure to follow the natural growth habits of your greenery to promote long-term health while enjoying great visuals.
Step 7: Make Clean Cuts
We’ve mentioned this a couple of times in the previous steps, but always ensure to make clean cuts when pruning. This not only promotes faster healing but also reduces the risk of disease and pest infestation.
Sharp, clean pruning tools that are appropriate for the size of branches you’ll be cutting are always recommended. Avoid dull or dirty tools that create ragged cuts that take longer to heal and are more prone to infection.
Also, when making cuts, aim at a slight angle, just above a bud or lateral branch. This encourages new growth in the desired direction and helps maintain plant shape. As repeatedly mentioned above, always cut close to the branch collar, which is the swollen area where the branch meets the trunk or another branch. If you cut too far, this can lead to unnecessary damage and slower healing.
Step 8: Monitor and Maintain
Plant maintenance doesn’t stop when you complete the pruning process. You need to monitor your plant’s growth and maintain it for continued good health and vitality. Below are effective tips to monitor and maintain your pruned plants:
- Regular Inspection – Inspect your plants regularly for any signs of new growth, pests, or disease. Early detection will lead to prompt action and prevent problems from escalating.
- Watering and Fertilisation – Give your plants the right amount of water and nutrients they need. Adjust watering and fertilisation as needed, especially after pruning, to support new growth.
- Pest and Disease Control – Keep an eye out for any signs of pests and diseases, then implement management strategies to control them immediately.
- Mulching – Add a layer of mulch around the base of your plants to help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
- Re-pruning As Needed – Plants may require additional pruning to maintain their shape and health as they grow. Again, make sure to know their growth rate and pattern so you can schedule the next pruning session accordingly and effectively.
After pruning your plants, stay vigilant to their growth and keep an eye on issues. Plant maintenance is an ongoing process that will require your attention and dedication. Exert the right effort and you will be rewarded with a flourishing garden or landscape that matches your vision.
As we’ve learned above, pruning is more than just trimming. It’s about fostering healthy growth of your greenery. Plus, ongoing maintenance is important after the cuts. Make sure to do regular inspections, proper watering, pest control, and other essential after-care steps to sustain the health of your plants.
Do you have other pruning tips? We want to hear from you. Share your pruning experiences or ask any questions related to plant maintenance in the comments below. For more helpful tips and resources on pruning, check out our related articles on Local Botanist.
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