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While proper pruning can enhance the knockout and health of your bush , common mistakes can top to unintended effect . Whether you ’re a beginner gardener or have years of experience , it ’s easy to make mistake that may harm your plants . But , by realise these vulgar missteps , you ’ll be well equipped to snip with assurance .
Here are 10 common pruning errors and how you could avoid them :
1. OVER-PRUNING:
2. PRUNING AT THE WRONG TIME:
Pruning at inappropriate times can ensue in fewer peak or weakened plant . How to avoid : search the best times to prune each type of bush . As a general normal , prune springiness - blossom shrubs immediately after they bloom and summertime - flowering shrubs in late winter or early spring . ( See thisseasonal shrub pruning guidefor more details . )
3. USING IMPROPER TOOLS:
Dull or dirty tool can make jagged cuts that invite disease and pests . How to avoid : Always apply sharp , clean pruning tool . on a regular basis sharpen blade and sanitize them with a disinfectant before and after use to preclude the bed covering of disease . ( See more onpruning tool . )
4. CUTTING TOO CLOSE TO THE BUD:
Cutting too close can damage the bud , preventing newfangled growth . How to avoid : When get head cut , allow for a small stub ( about ¼ column inch ) above the bud to protect it . This encourages healthy new ontogenesis from the bud .
5. REMOVING THE BRANCH COLLAR:
Cutting off the branch collar ( the swollen field where the arm adjoin the trunk or another leg ) can impair the shrub ’s ability to callus over and make it more susceptible to disease . How to avert : Make cuts just outside the branch collar . This help the shrub callus the lesion and recover more efficaciously .
6. IGNORING PLANT HEALTH:
fail to consider the overall wellness of the works can conduce to increase stress and vulnerability to disease . How to void : Before pruning , assess the plant ’s health and ensure its well - watered and not under stress from pests or disease . Healthy plants recover well from pruning .
7. IMPROPER THINNING:
Removing too many privileged branches can lead to a sparse , undermine structure and susceptibility to sunscald . How to void : sparse selectively , move out only the leg that are necessary to better air circulation and light insight . ward off create large break in the canopy .
8. IGNORING PLANT GROWTH HABIT:
Not considering the natural maturation substance abuse of the shrub can result in an abnormal chassis and hapless wellness . How to avoid : Prune in a way that respects the instinctive shape of the shrub . For instance , some shrubs have a instinctive vase anatomy , while others develop more upright or spreading .
9. NOT CLEANING UP DEBRIS:
Remove prunign detritus right away , especially morbid leaves and branches . How to avoid : Always clean up and dispose of crop debris properly . Some debris can be compost ; pathological materials should be dispose of in greenish waste . This assist keep a goodly garden environment and abridge the risk of cuss and disease .
10. INCORRECT WOUND TREATMENT:
Applying wound grooming or sealant usually does more harm than practiced . How to avoid : In most case , it ’s good to depart pruning baseball swing to heal naturally . ward off using wound dressings unless recommended for specific situations by a professional .
