How to prune purple leaf plum

How to prune purple leaf plum

After the purple-leaf plum is planted, it is pruned back at about one meter in height. Generally, the first sprouting branch below the cut grows most vigorously and serves as the extension branch of the central trunk. Three thicker new shoots are selected below it as the main branches. The three main branches are required to be evenly distributed on the central trunk and spread upward at an angle of 45°. They should be topped during the growing season to promote branching and the growth of the extension branches of the central trunk. If there is uneven differentiation between the main branches during the growth period, adjustments can be made using a variety of techniques such as supporting, pulling, cutting to leave buds in the right direction, and pushing the buds inside and out.

The second winter pruning of purple leaf plum

During the winter pruning of the second year, the main trunk extension branches should be appropriately shortened, and strong buds should be left at the cut ends. The direction should be opposite to that of the previous year to ensure that the main trunk remains straight. The three main branches should be shortened to varying degrees depending on their growth conditions, and outer buds should be left at the cut ends to continue expanding the crown. During the growing season, attention should be paid to the growth of steep branches, which should be thinned out or pinched.

The third winter pruning of purple-leaf plum

During the winter pruning of the third year, continue to shorten the main trunk extension branches, while selecting the second layer of main branches and shortening them to expand the crown. Other branches on the main trunk can be left uncut as long as their initial thickness does not exceed one-third of the thickness of the main trunk at the attachment point. If they are too thick, they should be cut back to the outward short branches.

The fourth winter pruning of purple-leaf plum

In the fourth year, select the third layer of main branches. In addition, when pruning the main branches in winter, an appropriate number of side branches should be gradually added, paying attention to staggered distribution. In the following pruning every other year, you only need to remove dead branches, diseased and insect-infested branches, inward-facing branches, overlapping branches, and crossed branches; for thin and weak branches that are left too long, they should be cut back and rejuvenated in time.