How to prune wintersweet flowers

When to prune wintersweet flowers

There are not many time requirements for pruning wintersweet flowers. Pruning can be done in early spring, summer and winter. The pruning method and purpose are different each time.

The pruned branches of wintersweet can be used for cuttings. The branches selected for cuttings must be free of any disease. The branch cuts also need to be disinfected to avoid infection. Cuttings can be carried out after the branch cuts are dry.

How to prune the branches of wintersweet

During the growth process of wintersweet flowers, useless overgrown branches, weak branches, diseased and insect-infested branches need to be cut off, and those branches that overlap and block each other should also be trimmed together to allow the interior of the plant to fully receive light, so that it can bloom and grow lushly.

After the crown of wintersweet flowers is formed, you can choose to cut off the tender shoots of its strong branches during the dormant period of the plant and shorten the weak branches, leaving only 2-3 buds at the base. At the same time, the thin branches inside the crown, diseased and dead branches, and irregular branches also need to be pruned to reduce nutrient consumption.

Wintersweet pruning tips

The pruning of wintersweet is mainly for bonsai. In summer, it is mainly to shorten the overgrown branches, and in winter, it is mainly to shape them, maintain the overall shape, and cut off diseased and insect-infested branches and dense branches.

Wintersweet flowers grow fast after pruning

If you want the wintersweet flowers to grow fast, you should prune them according to the growth strength after they sprout, leaving a bud at the cut to make the new branches change direction and weaken their growth. If you leave buds opposite each other above and below, you can cut off a section of the mother branch during summer pruning, leaving the square side buds as the branch tips.

Wintersweet flower pruning

If you want the wintersweet to bloom, it is best to prune the long branches after the leaves fall and before the flower buds swell, cut off the upper part without flower buds, leave a pair of leaf buds on the flower buds, thin out dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, too weak branches, and dense, overgrown branches without flowers, as well as cut off the root evils that are not used for renewal.

Precautions for pruning wintersweet flowers

After the wintersweet flowers fade, they should be pruned back in time. When pruning back, three pairs of buds need to be retained at the base to encourage the plant to branch more. The top buds can also be removed after 2 to 3 pairs of buds grow on the new branches. Repeating this pinching 2 to 3 times can promote the sprouting of side shoots.