Plum Blossom Pruning Methods
As the first of the traditional famous flowers in China, the pruning skills of plum blossoms directly affect the plant's shape and the quality of flowering. Scientific and reasonable pruning can not only shape a beautiful tree form but also promote nutrient absorption and bud differentiation. This article systematically analyzes the key points of caring for potted plum blossoms and ground-planted plum blossoms through four core techniques combined with real-life operation diagrams.
I. Basic Techniques for Branch Shortening
1.1 Pruning of Young Seedlings
For 1-3-year-old seedlings, keep the main stem 40-60cm for shortening, and select 3-5 strong lateral branches as the primary scaffold branches. Use oblique cutting method during pruning, with the cut 0.5cm away from the bud point to effectively stimulate the lateral buds to form an umbrella-shaped canopy.
1.2 Tool Disinfection Treatment
Use pruning shears that have been disinfected with alcohol to avoid cross-infection. For cuts with a diameter >2cm, apply healing ointment to prevent the invasion of germs.
II. Core Strategies for Bud Management
2.1 Spring Bud Removal Timing
In the period of new bud germination from March to April, retain 45° oblique buds on the outer side of the branches, remove inward buds, concurrent buds, and suckers at the base of the main stem. Retain 4-6 buds per 15cm branch section to ensure ventilation and light.
2.2 Summer Control Techniques for Excessive Growth
In the plum rain season of June, implement a second round of bud removal, focusing on removing the top buds of the overgrown branches, and use potassium dihydrogen phosphate foliar fertilizer to control the growth of nutrients.
III. Systematic Thinning Operation Standards
3.1 Golden Pruning Period After Flowering
Conduct structural pruning 7-10 days after the flowers fade, first remove withered branches and branches with diseases or pests (which need to be incinerated immediately), then thin overlapping and crossing branches to ensure a spacing of ≥15cm between the remaining branches.
3.2 Quantified Standards for Light Penetration Rate
After pruning, the light penetration rate of the tree canopy should reach 40%-60%. This can be tested by ground light spots: on a sunny noon, there should be 20-30 distinct light spots per square meter of ground.
IV. Advanced Techniques for Artistic Modeling
4.1 Key Points for Literary Style Modeling
Retain 2/3 of the natural curve of the main stem, focusing on cultivating four turning points: "start, continue, turn, and conclude". The secondary branches are distributed in a cloud-like pattern, with a gradient change in spacing of 8-12cm.
4.2 Branch Storage Techniques for Bonsai
Use a combination of cutting and wiring methods, with aluminum wire wrapped at a 45° angle to the branches. Allow to grow for one season and prune once a year, gradually forming classic shapes such as chicken feet branches and antler branches.
Through systematic pruning management, plum blossoms can maintain the classical aesthetic feature of "sparse shadows and horizontal slants". It is recommended to create a pruning calendar based on the phenological period, and use organic fertilizers to increase the annual flowering amount by 30%-50% while displaying artistic shapes. Mastering these core techniques can make the plum trees glow with unique charm, whether in garden landscaping or bonsai creation.