How to Prune a Chinese Flowering Crabapple
Comprehensive analysis of how to prune a Chinese flowering crabapple, let's understand and learn about it together.
How to Prune a Chinese Flowering Crabapple
Pruning a Chinese flowering crabapple involves two stages: spring pruning and post-blooming pruning. The pruning principle is to lightly prune strong branches and heavily prune weak branches. During pruning, branches that grow outward should be retained to expand the plant's area, enhancing internal ventilation and light exposure. After planting, the Chinese flowering crabapple should be pruned to have a higher interior and lower exterior, with a sparse interior and dense exterior, which is beneficial for plant growth and promotes more flowers.
When to Prune a Chinese Flowering Crabapple
Pruning generally occurs in two stages: spring pruning, which focuses on shortening and thinning branches, and post-blooming pruning, which maintains the shape of the tree for an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
Pruning the Branches and Leaves of a Chinese Flowering Crabapple
For newly planted Chinese flowering crabapple plants, pruning should follow the principle of selecting the best branches: keep a few strong branches and cut the others from the base, which can stimulate the growth of more new branches and increase the number of branches.
When pruning, the principle is to lightly prune strong branches and heavily prune weak ones. During pruning, branches that grow outward should be retained to expand the plant's area, enhancing internal ventilation and light exposure.
After planting, the Chinese flowering crabapple should be pruned to have a higher interior and lower exterior, with a sparse interior and dense exterior. This not only increases permeability but also benefits plant growth. Specifically, two weeks after planting, crowded branches should be cut from the plant, and branches should be shortened appropriately to help increase the number of short branches and flower buds.
Pruning Techniques for Chinese Flowering Crabapple
Generally, 3-9 strong branches should be retained, and all diseased, weak, and dead branches should be pruned to promote plant growth and increase the number of branches in the bush. Do not leave stumps when pruning.
When the Chinese flowering crabapple reaches 3 to 5 years old, it has the most flower branches. Each year, it is necessary to renew the flower branches to keep the plant in bloom. The renewal should be done annually, typically renewing 2-3 branches each year. Excess new branches and old flower branches can be removed. Flower buds generally grow on short branches, and shortening these branches during pruning can promote better flowering.
Pruning Chinese Flowering Crabapple for Blooming
When pruning, it is necessary to keep the thicker branches and remove the finer ones. In addition to removing weak branches, the tips of new branches should be removed by 2/3 to 1/2, and dense inner branches, crossed branches, and some new branches should be thinned to ensure that new and flowering branches receive ample sunlight, laying the foundation for next year's blooming.
Pruning Precautions for Chinese Flowering Crabapple
When shortening branches, reduce the force to ensure the number of flowers in the spring. The number of branches to keep depends on the available space. If the space is large, keep more branches; otherwise, keep fewer.
The above is a comprehensive guide on how to prune a Chinese flowering crabapple, which green plant enthusiasts may find useful for reference.