Pruning plants can create some uncertainty but depending on what type of plant you are dealing with will determine how to prune, doing some research on the specific type of plant you have will help in understanding your plant pruning needs.
It is very unlikely that you will kill the plants even if you do not perform the most expert plant pruning, you may have less flowers or fruit the following season if your pruning plants skills are not up to par, but you would most likely not kill the plant.
When to Prune Plants
It is important to get your plants prepared for winter, it is a good idea to prune plants when they are dormant and plant pruning should to a point on the stem where the plants have a compact look to them, the reason pruning plants back this much is important because the pruning will help to protect the plants from the harsh elements of winter. Again, the specificity of plant pruning lies in the determination of what type of plant you own.
If you live in the warmer climates and there is not as much concern in regards to the winter elements, then waiting until the plant becomes dormant may be a little later in the season. Depending on what zone you live in will determine when the dormant season is, typically late winter or early spring is when to prune plants such as flowering trees and shrubs.
This is where experience and time comes in to play, because you need to get familiar with your plants and know by looking at the plants and your planting zone when plant pruning is the appropriate time. Pruning plants too early could cause the various types of plants to not grow as well in the following season because of the winter elements affecting growth of the plants.
However, if you wait too long, your plants may not be at the ideal plant pruning stage and this could also hinder plant growth for the following season. The best way to tell if pruning plants is the ideal time is by observing the flowers, fruits, leaves or whatever your plant may be, have an understanding of the plants’ growth pattern and determine if it is the time to prune. It is also a great time to give your plants a little refresher by getting rid of the dead leaves and dead stems, leaving dead leaves and stems just hinders the plants’ growth.
How to Prune Plants
A clean and sharp array of tool such as: pruning shears, hand pruner, loppers and saws are of the utmost importance and making sure that the tools are continuously cleaned is very important to the plants’ health and prevention is the key. When pruning plants, the cuts should be done at an angle and slanted if possible, you want to always make sure you are making quick and clean cuts. It is always best to err on the side of pruning plants with the possibility of making a mistake than not pruning at all. Plant pruning is a means to a healthier and happier plant.
Pruning plants is not hard, again it just takes time and practice. The results of your time and practice will eventually pay off as you will have beautiful and full plants each season.
Sources:
Self-experiences
http://pubs.caes.uga.edu/
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu
