How to Prune Flower Plants
Trimming or cutting dead blooms, stems or branches from a plant is known as pruning. It is important to maintain a regular pruning schedule to encourage plant health and growth. Proper pruning encourages new growth and bloom production in flowering plants.
When to Prune
- Examine plants regularly for dead or damaged branches, blooms, etc. Prune these areas immediately.
- Prune flowering plants, shrubs and perennials after the blooming cycle has commenced. Depending on the season, the plant may bloom again.
- Prune or dead head blooms from annuals once the bloom has died. Pruning is a continuous process for annuals during their season.
How to Prune
- Use sharp pruning shears or cutters in order to achieve a clean cut. Shears must be large enough to easily cut through the stem, but not so large that they crush rather than cut.
- Hold the branch or flower head taught.
- Cut the stem at a forty-five degree angle below the dead portion of the plant. This angle makes the smallest possible wound to the plant and allows moisture to drain off the cut.
- Remove just the portion of the stem with the dead bloom. Buds farther down on that stem will receive more nutrients so they can bloom.
- Continue the same process for each dead stem or bloom.
- Discard plant debris.
- Clean pruning shears with a scrub brush and disinfectant solution.
- Dry the shears and lightly spray them with WD 40 or similar lubricating product.
- Wipe off the excess oil.
Tips
- Sharp shears do less damage to the plant, promoting quick healing and growth.
- Prune a little often. Most flowering plants flourish with moderate as opposed to excessive pruning.