Pruning: types and when to do it

There are many aspects we must consider when caring for a plant, such as light, substrate, water, etc. The most neglected, without a doubt, is the pruning of our plants, and it is generally due (especially among amateurs) to our fear of cutting too much and ending up damaging our plants.

However, pruning is one of the most essential aspects for the correct growth of the crop. In this GARDEN WEB post, we will tell you what types of pruning can be performed on plants.

Aspects to consider before performing any type of pruning

Pruning is a technique that professionals use mainly for two reasons: on the one hand, to ensure our plants maintain good health; and on the other hand, to shape the appearance of our plants once they have grown.

However, just as pruning can bring health to plants, it can also cause a lot of damage if we don't do it correctly or if it's not the right time to prune. It will also be essential that before we start pruning, we check two things: first, that our pruning shears are well-sharpened; and second, that all our tools are sterilized, as otherwise, the wounds caused by pruning will be the perfect excuse for any fungus or other pathogen to spread through our plants.

What types of pruning exist?

Now that you know some basic notions of pruning, we will tell you what types exist:

Formative pruning: This is performed on young trees so that their growth adapts to a specific shape. For example, when a shrub is pruned to be more ornamental or a tree to provide more shade.

Sanitation pruning: This type should be performed on all plants and consists of removing all leaves, stems, and branches that are in poor condition so that the plant does not waste energy on them.

Rejuvenation pruning: This type of cutting is applied to old plants and trees and consists of removing all aged branches so that they can regain their vigor and grow again with energy.

Pinching pruning: This is a cut made on young branches so that the tree or plant generates more lateral branches, thus making the plant bushier. But be careful, this type of pruning is not suitable for all species, so be sure before performing it.

Flowering pruning: This type of cut is especially performed on ornamental plants, as it is done to make the plant produce larger and more abundant flowers.

Fruiting pruning: This method of pruning is performed so that fruit trees yield better quality and more abundant fruits.

What to do after any type of pruning

Any type of pruning can cause wounds on our trees, through which all kinds of pathogens can enter if left open. To prevent this from happening, it is important to cover the wounds of our plants with an agent that has healing properties after pruning.

After pruning, apply our healing balm to treat tree wounds

The healing paste from the AICL brand is composed of different vegetable oils and resins that form a film 2-3 mm thick, protecting open wounds on plants and also promoting the healing process.

To achieve the expected results from this revolutionary product, we recommend:

• Do not use it when temperatures are below 0ºC.
• Do not apply on rainy days.
• Store the product in a place protected from frost.
• Perform a preliminary test before application.

Buy your healing balm and other GARDEN WEB items that protect you during pruning

In addition to protecting your trees with the healing balms from our online store, it is also important to protect yourself during pruning. For this, we have various products for gardening work, such as leather gloves and safety footwear. Take advantage of your order for healing pastes and add these items to your shopping cart to make pruning much more manageable.