Pruning rhododendronsis a procedure that allows you to keep a he althy, densely branched shrub with a large number of leaves and flowers and a compact, correct habit. Rhododendrons usually maintain a nice habit, which is helped by appropriate care treatments. Learn the basic types and rules for pruning rhododendrons andhow and when to prune yourrhododendrons to get the results you want. Here are the3 Basic Ways To Trim Your Rhododendron !
How and when to prune rhododendrons?
1. Nursing pruning for rhododendrons
Care pruning of rhododendronsshould be performed after the bush has faded (second half of summer). It consists in removing blown flowers and dead, dry shoots.Blown flowers are removed by hand by breaking them offThanks to this, we will not allow the rhododendron to produce seeds, but the plant's strength will be used for further growth and new shoots.
Removing dead, dry rhododendron shootsis a very important procedure. Thanks to this, the bush will be overexposed (dry shoots limit the access of sunlight). It is especially important to remove twigs affected by rhododendron diseases (e.g. phytophthora). Shoots are pruned below the damaged area. They are cut with a secateurs, which must be decontaminated with alcohol after the procedure.The care pruning of rhododendronswill also give the shrubs a nice, proper appearance.
It is good to repeat the care cutting treatment in the spring . The shoots that are sick, frozen, damaged and broken by snow and frost are then removed.
2. Pruning forming rhododendrons
The shaping cut of the rhododendronsallows the formation of a bush with the correct habit and contributes to the strengthening of the plant. Overgrown shoots are shortened.Breaking the top bud of the rhododendron initiates the production of new, numerous shootsThe effect is the branching and thickening of the bush.Overgrown shoots are pruned above the leavesin such a way as not to damage them. The treatment is best performed at the end of winter, when there is no longer a threat of severe frosts.
3. Cut to rejuvenate rhododendrons
Pruning rhododendrons to rejuvenate themis a radical procedure that involves trimming all the shoots of older plants. It is necessary when bushes develop poorly, are damaged, damaged and unsightly.In order not to excessively weaken the plant, it can be carried out in two stages:
- trim half of the bush in spring,
- the second half of the next year.
Stems are trimmed low(approx. 20 to 40 cm from the ground) leaving buds dormant (they look like small pink spots) that will sprout new shoots. Trimmed bushes should be cared for, regularly watered and fertilized.The rejuvenating pruning of rhododendrons should be performed in late winter or early spring, after the end of frosts.
How to become confident in pruning plants?
If you are unsure how to cut or simply afraid to do it, the fantastic book "Cutting School" will help you. Thanks to it, you will gain confidence in pruning plants and learn to cut plants so that they grow according to your expectations. After reading this book, your approach to pruning plants will probably change completely!
