Osmanthus pruning and shaping techniques
Comprehensively analyzing the content of Bonsai making osmanthus, the pruning and shaping techniques of osmanthus, continue reading below!
The process of cultivating plants into a certain shape and framework is called shaping. That is, by artificial processing, cutting off some branches, or changing the growth direction of branches artificially to achieve the purpose of changing the tree shape.
Osmanthus trees have strong germination and the natural characteristic of forming shrubs. According to the growth and development characteristics, growth environment, and cultivation purposes of osmanthus trees, it is necessary to prune and shape osmanthus trees appropriately to achieve a balance between tree nutrition and reproductive growth, rationally arrange the tree structure, fully utilize sunlight and air, improve photosynthetic efficiency, concentrate nutrition (G-Y) on the required branches and leaves, or promote early flowering, facilitate the rejuvenation of old trees, and ensure the vigorous growth of the tree, dense flowering, and complete tree crown.
For ornamental osmanthus trees, artificial pruning and shaping can create a beauty that integrates natural intervention and art on the basis of natural beauty. Flower-picking osmanthus trees, through artificial pruning and shaping, can expand the crown, accelerate growth, prevent unnecessary nutrient consumption, and promote full flowering. Osmanthus pruning can also enhance the wind resistance of the tree, reduce the incidence of diseases and pests, and prevent the latency and spread of diseases and pests.
1. The original intention of shaping and pruning depends on the different uses of osmanthus trees. Different shaping methods form different tree shapes, and different uses of osmanthus trees have special shaping and pruning requirements. For example, when planted as street trees, they need to be pruned into single-trunk osmanthus trees to promote vertical growth and improve the height of branches, forming a central trunk tree shape; when planted as flower-picking trees, pruning is controlled to promote height growth, expand the crown, and form a tree shape without a central trunk.
According to the biological characteristics of osmanthus trees, the degree of pruning is different at different growth stages. For young trees, light pruning should be carried out to facilitate the accumulation of organic matter and promote flower bud differentiation; for adult trees, the contradiction between growth and flowering should be adjusted; for old trees, heavy pruning should be carried out to stimulate the growth of new branches and restore their growth potential.
Appropriate pruning should be performed based on the environmental conditions of the osmanthus tree growth area. That is, different pruning methods are used in different ecological environments; different pruning methods are also used in different configuration environments.
2. The methods of osmanthus tree pruning and shaping
(1) Natural pruning, which includes shapes such as flat round, oblong, round, oval, umbrella, and irregular shapes.
(2) Artificial pruning, which includes shapes such as spherical, vase, and rectangular geometric shapes.
(3) Mixed natural and artificial pruning, which includes two types: without a central trunk and with a central trunk.
Without a central trunk: natural cup shape, natural open heart shape, multiple main trunk shape,丛球形 (shrubby ball shape), and hemisphere shape.
With a central trunk: further divided into layered and scattered shapes.
3. The specific operation essentials of osmanthus pruning are: lightly prune young trees, strongly prune old trees; cut more on weak branches, and less on strong branches; cut where it is dry.
(1) Wiping buds refers to the method of removing buds before they germinate. When osmanthus trees germinate, both the main stem and the base can germinate. The buds at the lower part of the main stem should be removed in time to concentrate nutrients and water on the upper branches, promoting their vigorous and healthy growth to form an ideal tree shape.
(2) Shortening is also known as short pruning, which involves cutting off part of a one-year-old branch. Its main function is to control the crown and branches, and promote the germination of lateral buds. When the growth of the osmanthus tree and branches is poor, shortening can be performed. Depending on the degree of shortening, it can be divided into light shortening, medium shortening, and heavy shortening. Shortening can effectively control the crown and promote the development of medium and short strong branches.
(3) Thinning refers to the pruning method of removing branches from the base. For varieties with strong germination and branching abilities, excessive branching and multiple growths within a year can easily cause crown closure, poor ventilation and light transmission, so dense branches should be thinned appropriately. Osmanthus pruning generally focuses on thinning, only thinning the dense outer branches and cutting off weak branches, long branches, and diseased and pest branches to improve the ventilation and light conditions of the plant.
4. Precautions during pruning
Firstly, young osmanthus trees have vigorous growth. In addition to dried branches, diseased and pest branches, long branches, crossing branches, and damaged branches, which should be pruned in time, strong pruning is generally not recommended.
Secondly, pruning should be tailored to the tree. For golden osmanthus and silver osmanthus trees aiming to develop a tree-like crown, the buds or branches from the roots and main stems should be pruned; for Siqi osmanthus and others that can naturally form a shrub shape, slight pruning is enough to form a ball shape. After shaping, it is generally only necessary to remove fine branches, withered branches, dense branches, and crossing branches.
Thirdly, for economic trees for harvesting flowers, strong pruning should not be performed after shaping, as it may affect the amount of flowers.
Fourthly, pruning cuts should be smooth to facilitate healing.
Fifthly, for trees that are very tall and lack leaves at the bottom, the top 2/3 or 3/4 can be cut to promote new branches from the lower trunk. In the following year, all wild branches, branches in the wrong position, and other chaotic branches should be cut to form a full natural shape.
Sixthly, for trees that are top-heavy and too tall, the upper strong branches can be cut, leaving only the smaller branches below to balance the tree's growth.
The above is[] all about the pruning and shaping techniques of osmanthus, for your comprehensive understanding and reference!