Well donechokeberry cutting has a positive effect on the growth of the bush , improves its appearance and vitality. Appropriate x-raying also allows the entire crown to have free access to sunlight, which directlyincreases the yieldCutting, and finally the perfect way torejuvenate old aronia bushes which years of the best fruiting are long behind them. Seehow and when to prune chokeberryto make it grow he althily, spread well and bear fruit abundantly!
Cutting chokeberry. How and when to prune chokeberry?
Why is chokeberry cutting so important?
Aronia is an extremely photophilous shrub. Unfortunately, it tends to thicken too much,that is why pruning the chokeberry is a necessary procedureUnprimed plant branches out very quickly and intensively, reaching very large sizes at the same time. As a consequence, it has to allocate more nutrients to the maintenance of the shoots, which adversely affects the formation of flowers and the maintenance of the fruit.
How to properly prune chokeberry?
1. Pruning chokeberry after planting
Immediately after planting, chokeberry does not require pruning- as long as the seedling had an extensive and strong root system. However, if it was weak,in the first year, trim the aronia shoots by 1/3This will stimulate the plant to branch more strongly, strengthen the root system and set the fruit. If our allotment garden is located on a soil that is poor in nutrients, we can trim the aronia tighter at this stage- preferably over 2-3 holes above the ground This will increase the chance of the bush to accept and adapt to more difficult conditions.
In the next five years, when cutting chokeberry , we focus primarily on sick, damaged, clearly weakened shoots, growing at an unnatural angle, overlapping or overly thickening the shrub. Instead, we leave young, strong, vertically or obliquely growing shoots.
2. Cutting out chokeberry root suckers
Aronia has a tendency to create numerous root suckers that weaken the plant and thicken it very strongly. This can even lead to the depletion and drying of skeletal shoots (due to lack of light). Therefore, it is also necessarycutting aronia root suckersWe can use them as new seedlings.
3. Chokeberry shining cut
The chokeberry bush produces the best fruit on young shoots that are 2 to 6 years old. We usually obtain the best quality fruit from 2-3 year old shoots.Therefore, in the following years , we choose shoots over six years oldTo achieve the best possible yield, there should bebalance between the old shoots removed and the new annualsBalance should apply to the whole plant - the youngest shoots should constitute about 1/3 of the entire bush, another 1/3 - shoots up to 4 years old, and the rest 5-6 years old shoots. It is also important to plan the pruning spatially - we should focus on both external and internal shoots. Only this kind ofchokeberry cutting will ensure free access of sunlight to the fruit , and will not disturb the aesthetic appearance of the bush.
4. Rejuvenating pruning of old chokeberry bushes
If our shrub is too large, or it is clearly old and weakened, we can cut the branches. Then we cut them even by half (making sure that the cut is made over the side branching or short shoot). This treatment is usually not performed, but in the above cases it will helprejuvenate the chokeberry bush and encourage it to sprout new, he althy shoots However, remember not to rejuvenate more than 1/4 of all skeletal shoots of the bush at one time. Otherwise, we can seriously harm its he alth and drastically reduce its yield (the bush will defend itself - it will focus on renewing the shoots - not on fruiting).
5. Hygiene when cutting chokeberry
We always cut chokeberrywith clean and sharp tools. It is best to make a single, full cut - then we will avoid jagged and jagged ends of the shoots, which can become a source of plant infection, e.g. with fungal diseases. To reduce the risk of infection, we can also coat woody, thicker cut chokeberry shoots with garden ointment containing fungicides.
When to prune chokeberry?
Correspondingchokeberry cutting termis very important. Incorrectly planned pruning may have a negative effect on fruiting and, consequently, significantly reduce the later yields.The recommendedpruning term for chokeberry by experienced gardeners is early spring(April). Then the shoots are still dormant and no well-developed buds are visible. It is best to choose the moment when the leaf buds slowly begin to swell - then we will be able to most accurately identify sick and withered branches, which absolutely should be removed.
Remember to choose a frost-free and rainless period for cutting chokeberry!
There is also an exception to the rule regarding spring pruning -in early autumn you can shorten new aronia shootsthat appeared already during the flowering period of the plant.
Become confident in pruning fruit plants
"If you are unsure how to make a cut or are just afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School 2" ontrimming fruit trees and shrubs
This is the second part of the best-selling book "Cutting School", in which the authors Lucyna and Alicja Grabowskieexplained in a simple and clear way the secrets of cuttingornamental plants.The first book The School of Cutting for its simple language and clear, accurate drawings was loved by garden owners all over Poland.The book quickly became a bestseller- 20,000 copies sold! "
"Cutting School 2" will make youconfident in pruning fruit trees and shrubsand learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations and bear fruit abundantly. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
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