Different Pruning Methods and Why Every Gardener Should Know Them
There are many reasons you might want to prune your plants or trees, from keeping them in a certain shape or size to fuller growth and more buds. But before you start pruning, take the time to learn about the different types of pruning and how they can produce different results.
How to pinch off
Pinching involves removing the plant head with two fingers to stimulate more growth. When the stem and top leaf are pinched off, it signals the plant to leave more stems and leaves to compensate. As a result, the leaves will become puffy to capture more sun and grow additional buds and stems. (You can also pinch the plant to make it the correct size.)
When to use pruning and dusting
Trimming the hooves is similar to pinching in the sense that you can use the two-finger method, or you can use scissors or wire cutters. When pruning trims or tucks, as close to the base of the head of cabbage as possible, where it meets the next rung of the leaves. This method completely removes the seed pod so that the plant can grow fuller and, in particular, so that the flowers produce more buds and last longer. This pruning of trees is called topping.
Topping and pruning are among the most stressful forms of plant maintenance . Texas A&M’s Earth Kind Landscaping describes vertex augmentation as “a process in which a tree is pruned into several large branches. After 2–3 months, the growth at the top of the tree becomes strong, dense and erect. ” This has the potential for significant growth, but can jeopardize the strength of the tree if done incorrectly, so proceed with caution.
How to thin out bushes
When it comes to maintaining plant size as well as promoting growth, thinning is great for shrubs and trees. Thinning trims smaller branches to determine the size of the shrub and to help focus plant energy on the main branches. To thin out the plant, cut a smaller branch at the “crotch” (or Y-shaped) part of the tree. Watch gardener Katherine Moravec demonstrate this in a YouTube video for Colorado Yard Care .
Shrubs should be thinned by trimming smaller branches at the base just above the soil. This leaves more room for other branches to grow, as well as more oxygen and light to penetrate the larger branches and leaves.
When to shape and clean
Sometimes you will prune simply because you want the plant or tree to grow in a certain direction or to maintain its shape or size. You can shape the plant or tree with scissors or clippers, and sometimes even with a chainsaw, to cut smaller leaves or branches in a specific pattern. This method is common on hedges, bonsai, and evergreens.