How to prune mint to burst
Xiaobian will introduce you to how to prune mint to make green plants and flowers popular. Next, we will share the details.
##The importance of mint pruning As a vigorously growing herb plant, proper pruning can not only maintain the beautiful plant type, but also stimulate the germination of more side buds and achieve a "bursting" growth effect. Mint that is not pruned for a long time is prone to problems such as excessive growth, falling off of lower leaves, and aging of plants. In severe cases, it may even fall and affect the overall ornamental value. From a plant physiological perspective, pruning can break the apex advantage and encourage the plant to allocate more nutrients to lateral branch development. Professional horticultural research has shown that regularly pruned mint plants can increase yields by more than 30% compared with unpruned plants.
pruning can also effectively prevent the occurrence of pests and diseases. Over-dense mint bushes can easily breed bacteria and pests, and pruning can increase ventilation and light transmission between plants. According to the American Horticultural Society, mint's risk of getting powdery mildew is reduced by 55%. In addition, pruning is also an effective means to control over-expansion of mint. This plant has a strong ability to spread underground stems. After the above-ground part is pruned, it will temporarily slow down the expansion rate of the underground part.## The best pruning time and tools The most suitable time for mint pruning is after the dew is dry in the morning or in the evening, when the water content of the plant is moderate and the wound heals quickly. Spring and early summer are the prime times for pruning to promote growth, while autumn should reduce pruning frequency to help plants accumulate nutrients needed to overwinter. The peak growth season for certain varieties such as spearmint is in the spring and autumn, and the number of pruning can be increased at this time. If a worker wants to do something well, he must first sharpen his tools. It is recommended to use sharp gardening scissors or pruning knives for pruning mint. The knives should be disinfected with alcohol before use to avoid spreading germs. Blunt tools can cause crush injuries and are not conducive to wound healing. Small branch shears are suitable for fine operations, while pruning machines can be considered to improve efficiency when planting in large areas. Research from Nanjing Agricultural University shows that mint wounds trimmed with professional gardening tools heal 23% faster than ordinary scissors. For indoor potted mint, light pruning can be carried out after each watering; for ground potted mint, pruned every 2-3 weeks depending on the growth rate. It should be noted that pruning should be stopped before flowering, otherwise it will affect flowering and the accumulation of aromatic substances. There are also differences in pruning responses among different varieties, for example, peppermint is more resistant to heavy pruning than apple mint.## Detailed explanation of basic pruning skills ####Operation points of picking and topping Popping is the most basic method to promote mint branching. When the seedlings grow to 15-20 cm high, they can be topped for the first time. The specific operation is to use your fingers or scissors to remove 2-3 centimeters of shoots at the top of the stem, which will encourage the germination of lateral buds at the lower 2-4 leaf axils. Research by German botanists has confirmed that plants quickly adjust the distribution of auxin and activate the lateral branch growth mechanism within 72 hours after picking. The choice of picking position is very particular. Trim it about 0.5 cm above the leaves to leave a few stem segments to avoid damaging the bud points at the leaf axils. The pinching effect is best when the temperature is 18-25℃. The mint within this range has high growth activity and new buds germinate quickly. During high temperatures in summer, the frequency of picking can be appropriately increased to keep the plants compact.### Moderate pruning promotes branching When mint plants grow multiple branches, moderate pruning is needed to maintain plant type. Select strong outward branches and cut down 1/3 of each branch. After pruning, each branch should retain at least 2-3 pairs of leaves. Such pruning efforts will not excessively consume plant energy, but can also effectively stimulate the germination of new branches. The Australia Horticultural Association recommends that moderate pruning is best carried out in conjunction with topdressing, and diluted liquid organic fertilizer can be used. When pruning, pay attention to maintaining the overall balance of the plant to avoid excessive pruning on one side leading to uneven growth. The spiral pruning sequence can help determine the overall shape, pruning too long branches first and then adjusting the overall outline. For old plants that have grown for more than 2 years, consider removing part of the aging stems during moderate pruning to promote the growth of new bamboo shoots at the base.### Heavy renewal pruning method For mint that has a long growth age or shows signs of decline, heavy pruning methods close to the ground can be used. Before germination in spring, cutting off all of the above-ground parts by leaving 5-10 centimeters. This seemingly extreme practice can actually encourage the plant to germinate new branches from the base. Experimental data from the Korea Institute of Agricultural Technology shows that the average growth rate of new mint branches after heavy pruning is 40% faster than that of unpruned ones. Pay special attention to water management after severe pruning, keep the soil moist but not wet, and apply slow-release fertilizers to supplement nutrients. Avoid direct sunlight for 2 weeks after pruning, and gradually increase the light intensity after new buds grow. This method is especially suitable for edible mint ready to be harvested, and can obtain more tender branches and leaves.## Pruning strategies for special circumstances ###pruning techniques to control excessive growth caused by insufficient light is a common problem, which is manifested by elongated stems and sparse leaves. A phased pruning strategy should be adopted for such plants: first cut the longest branch short by 1/2, and then prune the remaining branches a week later. A step-by-step approach prevents plants from weakening due to sudden loss of too much photosynthetic area. Research by China Agricultural University shows that the survival rate of peppermint with phased pruning reaches 92%, while only 67% with one-time heavy pruning. When pruning overgrown mint, improve the lighting conditions and gradually increase the sun exposure time. At the same time, reduce the application of nitrogen fertilizer and increase the proportion of phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, which can make the new branches stronger and stronger. Consider using plant growth lights to supplement light for indoor cultivation of peppermint.### Pruning management during flowering period Most mint varieties enter flowering period in summer, and pruning strategies need to be adjusted at this time. You can keep some inflorescences for viewing when flower buds appear, but too many flower branches should be cut off in time, because flowering will consume a lot of plant nutrients. If you want to collect seeds, you can choose a few strong and reserved seeds, and it is best to cut off the rest of the inflorescences at the beginning of bloom. The Japan Vanilla Association recommends that harvesting mint should be trimmed off by 10-15 centimeters during the bud formation period, which can extend the nutritious growth time. After flowering pruning should focus on removing residual flowers to avoid fruiting and consuming nutrients. Some varieties such as chocolate mint will weaken significantly after flowering, so overall renewal and pruning can be carried out at this time.## Tips for pruning sick and weak plants When diseased leaves or insect branches are found, they should be cut off and destroyed immediately to avoid the spread of the disease. When pruning sick peppermint, we should adopt the principle of "preferring more than less", cutting off more tissue than healthy plants to ensure that the infected part is completely removed. Trim tools should be disinfected after each use and can be soaked in 70% alcohol or diluted bleach. Malnourished mint should be supplemented with fertilizer first and pruned after the new leaves grow healthy. For plants with damaged roots, it is necessary to cooperate with pruning of above-ground parts to reduce the area of water evaporation. The American Society of Plant Pathology recommends that diluted baking soda or sulfur powder can be sprayed after the diseased mint is pruned to help sterilize the wound.## Maintenance points after pruning The pruned mint requires special maintenance management to ensure rapid recovery. First of all, pay attention to wound protection to avoid the invasion of bacteria caused by watering immediately after pruning. Ideally, water one day before pruning and resume regular watering 48 hours after pruning. Seaweed extract or vitamin B solutions can be applied, which have been shown to promote plant wound repair. In terms of light management, severely pruned mint should be temporarily moved to a semi-shaded place for maintenance for 3-5 days, and gradually increase the light intensity after new buds germinate. It is best to keep the temperature between 20-28℃, which is most conducive to the formation of cut callus. A study at the University of Tokyo in Japan found that maintaining air humidity of 65%-75% after pruning can significantly increase the germination rate of lateral buds. Fertilization strategies also need to be adjusted. Do not apply high-concentration fertilizers within 7 days after pruning, and apply balanced liquid fertilizers after the new leaves are unfolded. Organic cultivation can use decomposed fish manure or worm dung tea, which do not easily burn new tissues. Regular spraying of foliar fertilizers is particularly beneficial to mint during the recovery period. Amino acid leaf fertilizers can be directly absorbed and utilized by new leaves. Water management is also crucial. The water requirement of pruned plants will be temporarily reduced. Avoid excessive watering and causing rotten roots. Adopt the principle of "see dry, see wet", and pour water after 1-2 centimeters of topsoil is thoroughly dried. Potted mint can be judged whether it needs watering by weighing the weight of the pot. This method is more accurate than looking at the topsoil. During the recovery period, special attention should be paid to observing signs of pests and diseases, and new tissues are often more vulnerable to pests. If pests such as aphids are found to be dealt with promptly, diluted soapy water or neem oil spray can be used. Regularly rotate the flowerpot to ensure that all parts receive uniform light to avoid biased growth of new branches.
How to prune the mint introduced in [] above to burst? For everyone's reference and operation.