How to prune gardenia during its dormancy period

During the dormant period of gardenia, heavy pruning is mainly required. The main purpose of the dormant period is to cut off diseased branches, dead branches, and overlapping branches to ensure the beautiful shape of the plant and promote uniform growth of each branch. Let’s take a look at the specific methods:

Short

Also known as pruning, it means cutting off part of the annual branches. This method is the main method during the dormant period. Pruning is mainly used to regulate the relationship between plant growth and fruiting.

According to the mild

Light pruning (cutting off 1/5 to 1/4 of the total length of the branch), usually done on young branches, can promote flowering and fruiting.

Heavy pruning (cutting off 2/3 to 3/4) of mature and weaker branches can stimulate the germination and growth of lateral buds and form a fuller tree shape.

Medium or short pruning (cut off 1/3 to 1/2). Except for the above situations, other normally growing branches should be pruned medium or short.

Thinning

Also known as thinning and pruning, its main function is to improve the light transmittance of gardenia, which is beneficial to the growth and development of branches inside the plant and adjust the growth of flowers and trees. The method is to cut off the branches on the crown from the base of the branches, usually cutting off dead branches, competing branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, crossing branches, overlapping branches, drooping branches,

Retraction

Also known as shortening, it is the process of shortening branches that are two years old or older. A large amount of pruning can make the plant grow vigorously again, and is mostly used for renewing the main branches and adjusting the balance of the tree.

Pay attention to the following four points when cutting

① The difference in thickness between the pruned branches and the retained branches should not be too great.

② When pruning, keep the direction and angle of the buds to ensure normal growth of new branches.

③ When pruning branches, it is better to shorten them and avoid lengthening them. The first node should be longer than the second node, and the second node should be longer than the third node.

④ In order to maintain the tree shape of gardenia, the overgrown branches should be pruned during the growing season every year to maintain the tree shape.