Why pruning is important for plants?
Pruning is an essential practice that involves removing unwanted or dead branches or stems from a plant. It helps to improve the overall health of the plant, stimulate new growth, and prevent the spread of diseases. However, not all plants require the same type of pruning technique. In some cases, pruning with shears could do more harm than good.
Plants to avoid pruning with shears
When it comes to pruning with shears, it’s essential to pay attention to the type of plant you are working on. Some plants have delicate stems, which could be easily damaged if cut with shears. Others have sap that could gum up the shears and make it difficult to achieve a clean cut. Some of the plants to avoid pruning with shears include:
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are one of the most popular flowering plants in gardens. However, these plants have delicate stems that can be damaged if pruned with shears. Instead, use a pair of hand pruners to remove dead and diseased stems.
Azaleas
Azaleas are another beautiful flowering plant that requires some extra care when pruning. If you prune them with shears, you may end up with a lot of deadwood in the center of the plant. Instead, use hand pruners to prune individual branches, making sure to cut back to a healthy bud or shoot.
Japanese Maple Trees
Japanese Maple Trees are known for their graceful branches and delicate foliage. Pruning them with shears could damage their branches and disrupt the natural shape of the tree. Instead, use hand pruners to prune the ends of the branches, leaving the natural shape of the tree intact.
Wisteria
Wisteria is a beautiful twining vine with fragrant flowers that can grow up to 30 feet in length. While they require pruning to control their growth, it’s not recommended to use shears. Instead, use a pair of loppers to remove large branches and hand pruners to remove smaller branches and stems.
Fruit trees
Fruit trees are susceptible to diseases and pests. Pruning them helps to keep them healthy, but using shears could cause damage that could let in pests and diseases. Instead, use pruning saws and loppers, as they have larger blades that can easily make clean cuts on the thick branches of fruit trees.
