How to prune bonsai orange trees

Bonsai Orange Tree Pruning Time

Bonsai orange trees can be pruned in spring, summer and autumn. In spring, pruning is generally done from early February to mid-March. However, if auxiliary means such as bud removal, shoot control, and flower branch pruning are used, it is advisable to do so from late April to early July. In summer and autumn, pruning is generally done from early July to mid-August.

Bonsai Orange Tree Pruning Method

1. Growth period

In the first two years after the bonsai orange tree is potted, it is advisable to cultivate the main branches and some secondary branches, combined with the cultivation of side branches, to make the tree look more compact and the branches and leaves more luxuriant. The main shoots can be cultivated 3-4 times a year to help the orange tree form a crown faster. At the same time, if there is bud formation, the buds should be removed in time.

2. Resulting period

In addition to properly cultivating the crown to make it fuller during the fruiting period, it is also necessary to allow the tree to bear fruit appropriately. New shoots should be sprouted 2 to 3 times each year, and dense branches should be thinned out appropriately to make the new shoots appear sparse and dense. Pruning at this stage is mainly to remove buds and control shoots, reducing or prohibiting fruiting on the upper part of the plant.

3. Peak fruiting period

During the peak fruit-bearing period, in order to increase the ventilation and light transmission effect of the bonsai orange tree, allow more sufficient light inside and outside, and promote the fruiting of the plant all over the body, it is necessary to control the distribution and direction of the branches in time, mainly to cut off the dense branches and weak branches, cut the upper part and leave the lower part, cut the outside and leave the inside, cut heavily if there are many flowers, and cut lightly if there are few flowers.

4. Aging

During the aging period, bonsai orange trees are generally pruned by shortening, mainly to renew or thin out old fruiting branches to encourage the sprouting of new fruiting branches inside or below the plant, making the plant appear more sparse and evenly distributed. If the orange tree has many flowers, more pruning should be done.