Did you know that pruning is one of the simplest and most effective ways to keep your garden beautiful and healthy? Pruning consists of cutting parts of plants, such as branches, leaves and flowers, to control their size, shape and development. In addition to improving the appearance of plants, pruning also helps prevent diseases, pests and weather damage.
But how to prune correctly? What are the best techniques and tools for each type of plant? And when is the ideal time to prune? In this article, we’ll answer these and other questions, and show you how you can master the art of pruning and have a lush garden with ease.
Why prune plants?
Pruning brings several benefits to plants and the garden, such as:
- Stimulates the growth of new shoots, leaves and flowers;
- Eliminates dead, diseased or damaged parts, preventing the spread of fungi, bacteria and insects;
- Improves air and light circulation, favoring photosynthesis and plant respiration;
- Controls the size and shape of plants, keeping them proportional and harmonious;
- Enhances the beauty and color of plants, highlighting their characteristics and varieties;
- Increases the productivity and quality of fruits, flowers and seeds.
How to prune plants?
Pruning can be done in different ways, depending on the type, age and purpose of the plant. Generally speaking, there are three types of pruning: formation pruning, cleaning pruning and renewal pruning.
- Training pruning is carried out when the plant is still young, and aims to define its structure and direct its growth. For example, you might prune a fruit tree so it has a strong trunk and balanced crown, or prune a bush so it has a specific shape, like a ball or cone.
- Cleaning pruning is done regularly, and aims to eliminate unwanted or harmful parts of the plant, such as dry, diseased or broken branches, yellowed or stained leaves, withered or fallen flowers, and rotten fruits or those attacked by pests. This pruning helps keep the plant healthy and beautiful, and avoid wasting energy and nutrients.
- Renewal pruning is carried out on older plants or those that have lost their vigor, and aims to stimulate their rejuvenation and development. For example, you can prune a rose bush that has not had flowers for a long time, or prune a vine that is invading the space of other plants.
When to prune plants?
The ideal time to prune plants varies depending on the species, climate and the purpose of pruning. However, there are some general rules that can help you choose the best time to prune:
- Training pruning must be done in winter, when the plants are in dormancy, that is, with reduced metabolism and growth stopped. This way, the plant suffers less from cutting and recovers faster in spring, when it resumes its development.
- Cleaning pruning should be done whenever necessary, regardless of the season. However, it is recommended to avoid pruning plants on very hot, dry or rainy days, as this can cause stress or infections in the plants.
- Renewal pruning must be done right after the plant has flowered or fruited, so that it has time to regenerate and prepare for the next cycle. For example, if you want to prune a rose bush that blooms in spring, you would do so in late spring or early summer.
What tools to use to prune plants?
To carry out efficient and safe pruning, it is important to use the appropriate tools for each type of plant and cut. The tools most used to prune plants are:
- Pruning shears: ideal for cutting thin branches and small bushes. There are different models of pruning shears, such as curved-tip scissors, straight-tip scissors and anvil scissors. Choose the one that best suits your hand and your plant.
- Pruning saw: suitable for cutting thicker branches and medium and large trees. There are different types of pruning saw, such as the fine-toothed saw, the coarse-toothed saw and the bow saw. Choose the one that best fits your branch and your space.
- Pruning pliers: used to cut harder and more resistant branches, such as bamboo, palm and cactus. There are different sizes and shapes of pruning pliers, such as needle-nose pliers, wide-nose pliers and snap pliers. Choose the one that best suits your strength and your plant.
- Ladder or stepladder: to reach higher branches that are difficult to access. Choose a ladder or stepladder that is firm, stable and safe, and that is the appropriate height for your work.
