When it comes to gardening and yard care, most people have heard of pruning. The process of removing superfluous branches and matter, pruning is sometimes shrouded in mystery. When are you supposed to prune? How do you prune? How do you know how much to remove? While the topiary gardens of England are evidence that pruning can literally be an art form, a few pointers can help the novice gardener care for their shrubs.
The simplest thing to remember when it comes to pruning is that it is always beneficial to a plant to remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches or stems. Dead, decaying matter attracts insects and leaves the plant more susceptible to developing diseases. No matter what plant or variety, pruning off these visibly dead pieces will only benefit the plant.
Another place to begin with pruning is to remove any branches that cross, as well as any water sprouts or suckers, which are growths on the trunks, side branches, and from the ground. This is essentially an aesthetic approach, using visual cues to determine what needs to go in order to promote healthy growth.
Finally, any gardener or landscaper will stress the importance of clean tools. Particularly when removing dead and diseased branches, scrub tools and dip them in bleach to sterilize them. This helps to prevent spreading disease between different plants.
Tailor Pruning to the Plant
Beyond these basics, it is most helpful to identify exactly what plant you are pruning. This is because plants differ in their growth patterns, and what works for one type is detrimental for another. For example, many hydrangea varieties bloom on old wood. If you prune them in winter or early spring, you’ll remove the buds and prevent the plant from flowering. In contrast, it is best to prune forsythia in late spring, just after they bloom. Some plants are most encouraged to bloom and grow when the oldest shoots are cut all the way to the ground. A little knowledge of the plant you’re working with can go a long way in determining the best approach to take.
Choose the Right Tool
Using the right equipment for the job is a must. It’s important to understand that plants, when improperly cut, can go into shock. Having a well maintained trimmer and using the right tool for the right application will help minimize stress. Check out some of the different types of trimmers below
Choose the Right Time
Besides the general season in which you prune, it’s also important to take into consideration the recent weather patterns. Avoid pruning during drought and heat waves, as this creates unnecessary stress for the plants. Likewise, prune in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the newly cut ends of branches becoming scorched by the hot sun. Wait 48 hours after rain to prune, to allow plants to dry out and avoid fungal diseases.
When pruning, make cuts just above leaf nodes, or buds. This will encourage new growth, and in most cases, the plant will branch into two stems at the cut, creating a fuller, more bushy plant. Aim for a 45 degree angle on the cut, facing away from the bud, and use sharp shears or bypass hand pruners. Making a clean cut helps prevent disease and will heal more quickly.
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Unapozungumzia kutunza bustani, huenda watu wengi wakakutana na jambo linaloitwa kupanda miti. Utaratibu wa kuondoa matawi na vitu visivyofaa, kukata miti, nyakati nyingine hufunikwa na fumbo. Unapaswa kukata miti wakati gani? Unapunguzaje miti? Unajuaje ni kiasi gani cha kuondoa? Ingawa bustani za topiary za Uingereza ni uthibitisho kwamba kupanda kwaweza kuwa aina ya sanaa, vidokezo vichache vinaweza kumsaidia mtunza bustani anayeanza kutunza vichaka vyake. Jambo la msingi la kukumbuka ni kwamba ni vizuri kuondoa matawi au shina lililokufa, lililoharibika, au lililoharibika. Vitu vilivyofiwa na kuharibika huvutia wadudu na hivyo mimea hiyo huathiriwa zaidi na magonjwa. Bila kujali ni mmea gani au aina gani, kukata vipande hivyo vilivyofiwa kwa wazi kutamfaidi mmea huo tu. Kuondoa matawi yoyote ambayo hupita, pamoja na mimea ya maji au suckers, ambayo ni ukuaji kwenye shina, matawi ya upande, na kutoka ardhini. Hii ni mbinu ya urembo, kwa kutumia ishara za kuona ili kuamua nini kinachohitajika ili kukuza ukuaji wa afya. Mwishowe, mtunza-bustani au mtunza-maeneo yeyote atasisitiza umuhimu wa vifaa safi. Hasa wakati wa kuondoa matawi yaliyokufa na yenye magonjwa, safisha vifaa na viingize katika bleach ili viangamize. Hilo husaidia kuzuia kuenea kwa magonjwa kati ya mimea mbalimbali. Kupunguza Mimea Kwa Kufaa Zaidi ya mambo haya ya msingi, ni muhimu zaidi kutambua ni mmea gani unaopanda. Hii ni kwa sababu mimea hutofautiana katika mifumo yao ya ukuzi, na kile kinachofanya kazi kwa aina moja ni cha kuharibu kwa nyingine. Kwa mfano, aina nyingi za hydrangea huchanua maua kwenye mbao za zamani. Ukizipunguza wakati wa majira ya baridi kali au mapema wakati wa majira ya kuchipua, utaondoa vichipukizi na kuzuia mmea huo usivume. Kinyume cha hilo, ni afadhali kukata forsythia mwishoni mwa majira ya kuchipua, mara tu baada ya kuchanua. Mimea fulani huchochewa zaidi kuchanua na kukua wakati shina la zamani zaidi linapokatwa hadi chini. Ujuzi kidogo wa mmea wewe ni kufanya kazi na inaweza kwenda njia ndefu katika kuamua mbinu bora ya kuchukua. Chagua Kifaa Kilichofaa Kutumia vifaa vinavyofaa kwa ajili ya kazi ni lazima. Ni muhimu kuelewa kwamba mimea, wakati kukatwa vibaya, inaweza kwenda katika mshtuko. Kuwa na kifaa cha kukata nywele kinachotunzwa vizuri na kutumia kifaa kinachofaa kwa ajili ya matumizi yanayofaa kutasaidia kupunguza mkazo. Chagua wakati sahihi: Mbali na msimu wa jumla ambao unapunguza, ni muhimu pia kuzingatia mifumo ya hali ya hewa ya hivi karibuni. Epuka kukata miti wakati wa ukame na joto, kwa kuwa hilo huathiri sana mimea. Vivyo hivyo, punguza mapema asubuhi au mwishoni mwa alasiri ili kuepuka miisho ya matawi yaliyokatwa hivi karibuni kuharibiwa na jua kali. Ngoja masaa 48 baada ya mvua ili kuondoa mimea na kuzuia magonjwa ya kuvu. Unapopanda, kata sehemu zilizo juu tu ya viungo vya majani, au vichaka. Hii itakuza ukuaji mpya, na katika hali nyingi, mmea utagawanyika katika matawi mawili wakati wa kukata, na kuunda mmea kamili zaidi, wenye misitu. Piga kwa pembe ya digrii 45 kwenye kipande cha kukata, ukikabili mbali na bud, na tumia mashine ya kukata au mashine ya kukata. Kufanya upasuaji safi husaidia kuzuia magonjwa na kupona upesi zaidi. Kama unahitaji msaada kukata vichaka yako au kukabiliana na huduma ya bustani yako wasiliana nasi leo kwa nukuu ya bure!