Why, when and how to prune

General rules to pruning

‍

• Cut out all dead, dying or diseased branches

• Always prune after the plant has finished flowering or fruiting so as not to remove potential flowers

• Cut on an angle so water does not puddle on the pruned stem and possibly introduce fungal disease

• Make a clean, crisp cut, and do not tear away and splinter the remaining branch

• Always clean tools before and after pruning so any pest or disease is not transferred to other plants

• Always prune above a bud as that is the growing point for it to reshoot, if cut too far above a bud, it will die back to the bud and become unsightly

• General rule to pruning: cut no more than 1/3 of the length of the branch at a time

• Remove all pruned plant material and do not leave around the base of the plant

• If in doubt, use sterile planting paint to cover large wounds

• Use the appropriate tool. Secateurs are not designed to cut thick branches so if it is wider than your finger, you will need a different tool

• Prune hedges regularly so they remain green and thick rather than seasonally, where they may appear sparse and stickie

• If you prune during the heat of summer, the lower leaves may burn slightly as they have not had direct sunlight before

• Some plants do not cope well with pruning, such as Book leaf pine trees

• Indoor plants may need pruning but not as regularly as outdoor plants

‍

After pruning, consider light fertilising and a fortnightly application of Seamax Organic Fertiliser; this will encourage new growth. Don't be afraid to prune, and it is not always in the winter. If you are genuinely concerned, a light prune and fertiliser will invigorate fresh shoots, and then a month later, prune down to the new shoots.

‍