Pruning!

[nothinfancy]

Pruning!

What do you prune? How do you prune? When and why do you prune? How often do you prune? Share with me your knowledge and experience.

For the most part I prune to trim off dead or non thriving branches/leaves. I've learned to constantly pinch off extra stems from tomato plants but I can't say that I've done much more beyond that. Am I missing out? Does pruning help your plant grow faster/better/bigger?

 

[Becky]

The answer is... it depends!

Some plants, such as roses, require a harsh prune every year. Other plants can be largely left to their own devices. Some plants should only be pruned as soon as they have finished flowering (eg rhododendrons). It doesn't only depend on the type of plant, but what you are looking to achieve - for example, if you wanted to raise the crown of a tree/shrub.

Which plants in particular do you have that you need to know how to prune?

 

[Esther Knapicius]

For some shrubs, my rule is you can cut out those stems that "reach straight up straight" they look weird jutting out, not following the natural contour of the plant. Also for some shrubs and small trees you can trim out if certain limbs rub against each other, that is not good for the overall health of the shrub or small tree, chose wisely which you will cut out. For some shrubs, yes you can just leave alone. In general if you prune to late you cut off next years flower buds. You can cut out any little babies that come out from the base of a tree--those are suckers--and not good for the health of the tree/shrub. In my gardens, I truly do not go crazy with pruning and it all looks well.

 

[nothinfancy]

Primarily I have herbs, tomatoes, chilies, and a few other random vegetables. I have some Rosemary in the front yard that I'd like to grow into some bigger bushes and I'm curious if pruning helps promote growth.

 

[Becky]

Pruning rosemary encourages bushiness, so you should end up with a nicer looking shrub Plus you can use the trimmings in the kitchen!

 

[amelia88]

I have a massive rosemary bush in my front yard, and a massive sage plant too...I feel like I'm always pruning them because they just seem to grow like wildfire here. I guess you could call me an "on demand" pruner. I don't really prune things proactively, more like reactively when I see they're obstructing a pathway or growing out of their designated area in my yard!

 

[Corzhens]

What we regularly prune is our sugar apple tree. When the leaves are getting old, it is high time to cut the branches although some branches are to be left where new leaves will sprout together with flowers. After pruning, the flowers appear in a month or two that's why we regularly prune it. Our mango tree is also pruned every 2 or 3 years to control the height of the tree. Very tall trees pose a problem with the harvesting so it should remain low and accessible.