Plum pruning method
As the first of the famous traditional flowers in China, the pruning of plum blossoms has been a required course for literati since ancient times. Scientific pruning can not only create a quaint shape, but also regulate flowering and promote flower bud differentiation. Master the three pruning rules and tool use tips, so that your plum blossoms bloom every year. Plum pruning core three-step final pruning during seedling stage. When the new branches reach 20cm, toppling is carried out, and 3-5 main branches are retained to build a skeleton. When the secondary growth reaches 15cm, the picking treatment promotes the thickness of the branches through physical stimulation. Attention should be paid to retaining the outer side bud points and ensuring that the crown opening angle is ≥45°. During the growth period, prune the main branch and extend the branch to retain a 30-cm short section, and combine it with aluminum wire to create classic shapes such as curved dry and cliff style. 5-8 Focus on pruning cross branches and inner branches during the month to maintain ventilation and light transmission. During the flower bud differentiation period (September to October), twining method is used to control long branches. Rejuvenate, prune, and fade immediately after flowering, cut off residual flowers and weak branches, and retain 2-3 buds at the base. Simultaneously implement retraction pruning to shrink and cut three-year-old branches to the bifurcation to stimulate the emergence of new branches. Topdressing phosphorus and potassium fertilizers after pruning promotes the transformation of leaf buds into flower buds. Professional maintenance precautions Use alcohol-disinfected Japanese-style scissors to ensure that the incision is smooth and without burrs. Apply wound healing agent after pruning to avoid bacterial infection during the rainy season. Special attention should be paid to: Adjust and bind aluminum wires every month during the modeling period to prevent ligature marks from affecting nutrient delivery.
Following the four-season pruning rules of "setting shape in spring, controlling prosperity in summer, promoting flowers in autumn, and maintaining shape in winter" and combined with maintenance measures such as turning pots and replacing soil, even century-old plum blossoms can maintain strong flowering power. Mastering these core skills will make your plum blossoms both natural and artificial.