| This is the big month for pruning deciduous fruit trees and vines. Basic guidelines for winter dormant pruning are to remove crowded or crossed branches, to open the center for good light exposure and airflow, to repair structural weakness, to remove vigorous vertical-growing branches (waterspouts), and to reduce the height or width of the tree to keep harvesting easily within reach when standing on the soil. Take care to not leave stubs or to overprune in any single year, as this encourages excessive new foliage and less fruit. An excellent, inexpensive, and easily-used disinfectant for pruning tools is rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Wipe shears with the alcohol after pruning every several cuts to avoid spreading any diseases. Clean the blades extra well before moving to another tree or bush. Pruning cuts that are under one-and-a-half inches across don't need protective covering. Paint larger cuts with an off-white or sand-colored interior latex paint that has a matte finish, not a glossy one – paint must be latex-based for interior use since exterior-use paint is oil-based and will suffocate tree pores. Never use black asphalt substances or dark-colored paint, especially on south-facing surfaces, since they will concentrate the sun's heat, baking and killing the tissue that the tree is trying to heal. Citrus Pruning citrus trees requires a different approach. Remove entire branches at the trunk. Heading branches back--cutting off only portions--will remove wood that would have blossomed and set fruit this coming season and stimulate more bushy growth. Cane Berries Cane berries are most easily pruned when all their leaves have fallen off and the buds have just begun to fill out and show their light pink color. The dead canes and the plant structure are then quite apparent, and the thorns are more easily avoided. When clipping away all the dead growth at the base of the plant, be careful to not injure the new pink shoots at the crown. Then prune each strong cane from the root crown about six inches above its point of attachment to the top horizontal support of the trellis. Prune side shoots just after the third strong bud. This second-year growth is where most of the blossoms and berries will set. Spread and re-anchor the upright canes evenly along the trellis in order to keep the area open for good ventilation and promote the even spread of developing foliage. This pruning and trellising procedure will encourage strong growth of fruiting vines but not of unnecessary foliage. Another approach, cutting down all dead and growing vines at the soil level in a clean sweep, is an easy approach, but it encourages weak bushy growth resulting in only a few berries setting very low on the plant. Grapes The choice of pruning approach depends on the specific varieties and trellis structures you have. Generally, grapes will bear on second-year growth, so prune to encourage this. Pencil-sized grape cuttings with at least four nodes can be used to start new vines. To identify which end is which, cut the bottom (root end) of the cane flat across, and cut and the top (foliage end) at a slant. Bury the lower two nodes in the soil. Don't be concerned if new foliage doesn't appear from the upper nodes until very warm weather, as the strong root system develops first. |
17 Comments
5/31/2017 01:04:15 am
I used the same technique for my basil to keep them alive and get harvest from it (https://www.gardenloka.com/how-to-keep-basil-alive/). Very effective indeed.
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1/28/2019 08:30:11 am
HI Yvonne Savio ,
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Yvonne Savio
1/28/2019 04:41:03 pm
Indeed!
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11/7/2019 12:21:40 pm
Pruning saws must be used to cut branches too large to handle with lopping shears. They differ greatly in handle styles, shape of the blade and type of teeth. Unlike most other saws, these are designed to cut on the “pull-stroke
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11/30/2019 08:01:58 am
Pencil-sized grape cuttings with at least four nodes can be used to start new vines. To identify which end is which, cut the bottom (root end) of the cane flat across, and cut and the top (foliage end) at a slant. Bury the lower two nodes in the soil. Don't be concerned if new foliage doesn't appear from the upper nodes until very warm weather, as the strong root system develops first.
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11/30/2019 10:17:21 am
Thanks for including! I prefer to cut longer pieces so 2 nodes are under the soil to sprout roots, and 2 or 3 nodes are above the soil to sprout foliage. Last year, it took until May for a good amount of roots to develop so I could transplant them into their new home.
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12/3/2019 04:40:27 pm
My husband and I moved into an older, cute home with beautiful orange trees in the backyard. It's really helpful that you recommended pruning branches at the trunk to promote greater growth. Neither of us has much experience in gardening nor pruning, so I think we may hire a tree trimming service so that we can enjoy our new fruit trees and maybe even make orange juice.
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Yvonne Savio
12/3/2019 05:21:01 pm
Hi, Sabrina -- Glad my comments are helpful! With citrus, you can shake the ripe fruit off, since it isn't damaged when they fall to the ground. On the other hand, with soft fruits like apricots and peaches, etc., you want to prune to keep the tree short enough to actually pick the individual fruits as they ripen.
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3/23/2020 03:28:06 pm
Winter pruning is a great excuse to get outdoors and enjoy your garden even though it is cold outside. I always appreciate having made the effort when things start to leaf out and the garden looks like it is cared for and loved.
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Yvonne Savio
3/23/2020 11:00:45 pm
Absolutely!
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4/27/2020 12:55:53 pm
Pruning can help control the size of a plant, direct growth, influence flowering or fruiting, rejuvenate old, overgrown plants, or maintain plant health and appearance. For shrubs, pruning also encourages growth below the pruning cut. For trees, pruning can also help prevent safety problems from broken, diseased, dead, or dying branches.
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9/1/2020 06:30:58 am
Nice Article...Very interesting to read this article. I have learned some new information. Thanks for sharing.
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9/1/2020 11:17:34 am
Hi, Sarah -- I'm so glad you learned something new and helpful! That's the whole point!
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4/3/2021 09:22:41 am
I loved your blog and thanks for publishing this about pruning why and where to cut !! I am really happy to come across this exceptionally well written content. Thanks for sharing and look for more in future!! Keep doing this inspirational work and share with us.
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Yvonne Savio
4/3/2021 10:14:05 pm
Thanks for letting me know how helpful my information is! That's why I'm doing it!
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