How to prune honeysuckle and how to trim branches

Honeysuckle pruning time

Honeysuckle needs to be pruned three times a year, usually during the growing season, flowering period and before winter. Pruning has a significant effect on increasing the yield of honeysuckle. Pruning improves the utilization rate of light energy in various internal parts, reduces the consumption of nutrients and water, and makes the plant grow stronger, which is conducive to high yield of honeysuckle.

Honeysuckle pruning method

1. Pinching and topping

When the height of the honeysuckle reaches 40 cm, it is necessary to top and pinch the top branches and leaves, which can control the plant height, promote the germination of side branches, avoid excessive growth, and is beneficial to the shaping of the plant.

2. Pruning during the growing season

The growth rate of honeysuckle is relatively fast, and it needs to be properly pruned during the growing season. It can also recover quickly after pruning. At this time, the overgrown branches and leaves should be cut off, and the crossed and overlapping branches should be properly thinned out to ensure the light transmittance inside.

3. Pruning after flowering

After the flowering period of honeysuckle is over, it is necessary to prune it immediately, mainly to remove the remaining flowers in time, and at the same time cut off the dry branches to reduce their consumption of nutrients, which is more beneficial to the subsequent growth of the plant.

4. Pruning for pests and diseases

After encountering diseases and pests, the honeysuckle should be pruned in time, the diseased or pest-infested branches and leaves should be cut off, and then burned in a concentrated manner to avoid a secondary recurrence of the disease. If the disease is serious, some pesticides should be used for spraying and treatment.