How to prune plum blossoms
As the first of the most famous traditional flowers in China, pruning of plum blossoms directly affects flowering quality and plant shape. Mastering the correct pruning timing and method can not only create powerful and ancient branches, but also allow plum blossoms to bloom year after year. This article systematically combs the entire process of plum pruning to help you grow healthy plants with elegant posture. 1. Plum pruning is the prime time for pruning in early spring and sprouting period. When the temperature rises above 10℃ and new buds germinate to 2-3 centimeters (about late February to early March), pruning can accurately locate the growth point and control the direction of branches and wounds heal fastest. Timely pruning of residual flowers within 15 days after rejuvenation and pruning (about mid-March in the south and early April in the north) can reduce nutrient consumption, promote leaf bud differentiation, and accumulate energy for flowering in the coming year. 2. Plum blossom shape pruning technique Picks when the new branches grow to 4-5 leaves, retaining 2-3 pairs of bud points at the base. Combined with a 45-degree oblique cut, it can stimulate the germination of lateral branches and make the crown fuller. Cut the light-transmitting layer to keep the main branches spaced 15-20 cm apart in summer, and focus on cutting off inner branches, crossing branches, and pest and insect branches. Retain the "three-pronged and nine-topped" structure to ensure that each branch receives sufficient light. Tips for shaping and pruning After falling leaves, use the method of cutting trunks and storing branches: keep 3-5 main branches on the main stem, and keep 2-3 short buds on the secondary branches. Applying twining method to handle long branches can not only control the growth but also increase the sense of vitality. 3. Key points for maintaining special plant types: prune roots simultaneously when changing pots every year to retain 1/3 of the old soil. The ancient plum tree focuses on pruning the tillers and growing branches, and applying healing agents to the wounds in time. Grafted seedlings need to be wiped off in time to ensure the advantages of the scion.
Through scientific pruning, we can not only control the growth rhythm of plum blossoms, but also create artistic shapes that are either thin and horizontal, or vigorous and straight. It is recommended to combine the regional climate characteristics and prune and maintain them at critical time points to ensure that your plum blossoms will be fragrant all year round.