Prune your plants with a set of Best pruning shears It can be quite a satisfying task. Not only can work put you into a semi-meditative state, but a small cut here and there can lead to a healthier, better-looking shrub, so why not do it?
The problem is that you may be doing more harm than good—especially if you make one of these common pruning mistakes. Cut one wrong and you can easily introduce disease to your plant, or simply damage its structure and leave it vulnerable. Here are 7 pruning mistakes that you should avoid at all costs.
1. Pruning for no reason
First of all, you should never prune unless there is a purpose behind it, such as removing dead wood or promoting growth. While it may be tempting to keep mowing away, cutting the healthy parts of the plant will only result in undue stress and embarrassing growth.
Research your plants’ pruning instructions and be sure to follow them. This way, you’ll only prune at the correct time of year and won’t risk cutting any future shoots.
2. Using a sharp blade
If you use pruning shears on a regular basis, you will notice that the quality of the cut decreases over time. This is because the cutting blade will get a little dull with each pass. You should take the time to sharpen the blade when this happens – a sharp blade will make a clean cut that is easier for the plant to recover from. A sharp blade will also make the pruning process faster overall.
To sharpen a pruning shear blade, all you need is a fine-toothed metal file. You can also purchase tools dedicated to this task, such as the Altuna Pocket Blade Sharpener ($17.49, (Opens in a new tab)Amazon (Opens in a new tab)).
Remember to tighten the blade when you feel it is loosening as well. This will again ensure a clean cut.
3. Using the wrong type of pruning shear
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Not all pruning shears are created equal – you need to use the right kind to avoid damaging the plant and the shears. Bypass pruning shears and anvils are portable tools for small jobs. Bypass scissors have a blade that passes over another in a scissor-like fashion; This results in a clean cut that is best suited for live stems and branches.
Anvil pruning shears, on the other hand, feature one blade that meets another in an “anvil” fashion. This crushes the stem rather than cutting it and is designed for use on dead wood. Some pruning shears also come with ratchet mechanisms that break one into several smaller steps – this takes effort in the cuts, but makes the process longer.
Rich Woodbridge, owner McCullum orchards (Opens in a new tab), who tested a set of pruning shears as part of our best test of pruning shears, says: “Use the bypass pruner whenever you cut live branches and stems. The scissor action of the side scissors leaves a clean, smooth cut that heals quickly and prevents disease. Use an anvil pruner to cut off dead branches and stems. Anvil pruners are more effective at cutting hardwood branches, but they tend to crush live wood, leaving a ragged edge that takes longer to heal.”
Portable pruning shears are designed to handle stems and branches up to about an inch in diameter. Anything wider will require something more substantial, like two-handed shears. If you are not sure you are using the correct tool, the box should say the appropriate branch size to cut.
You should also make sure that the pruning shears are the size of your hand. If you’re left-handed, you’ll need to find a pair that is designed for left-handed use as well.
4. Cutting with dirty blades
Many gardeners are guilty of this – it is very common to see a pair of pruning shears covered with dirt and sap. But the truth is, cleaning the blades of the pruning shear is essential, not just between pruning sessions, but between each cut.
This may sound excessive, but if you don’t, the blades will likely spread disease to your plants while cutting. And if you repeat this across several plants, it can lead to a lot of damage and regret.
To disinfect the blades, all you have to do is wipe them with a cloth dampened with denatured alcohol. Keep the rag in one hand to wipe the blades between each cut, and remember to do the same before storing the scissors for next use.
You should also remove any sap or debris that could rust or obstruct the hinge before storing the scissors. You can either wipe the blades with a cloth dampened with some mineral oil, or just use some WD-40. Your pruning tools will last longer if you take the time to do so.
“One of the biggest mistakes gardeners make with their pruning tools is forgetting to clean them before storing,” says Woodbridge. “Simply wiping down the trimmers with a dry cloth and giving them a little WD-40 spray after each job can greatly extend the life of the tool. Removing dirt, moisture, and debris from the blades, hinge, spring, and adding a little oil will help prevent rust and keep all parts moving freely. “.
5. Excessive pruning
While some shrubs can be cut back in bulk and recover super quickly, as when pruning hydrangeas, not all plants can take such pruning. Remember that the plant should recover from every cut you make, and it will be susceptible to disease during this time. So if you prune too much in one sitting, the plant can become too stressed and more weathered than necessary. This can take some plants and trees years to recover from, if it does at all.
Split the pruning into multiple sessions to avoid this and give the plant a chance to recover between each pruning. Be sure to check your plant type’s pruning instructions as well—even if it can require difficult pruning, it may only be recommended during certain seasons.
6. Forget about pruning
Although pruning may seem like you’re causing unnecessary damage to your plants, it’s still a very important chore. If you prune the right amount, you encourage better growth and more flowers. And by removing all traces of dead wood, you give the plant better air circulation, which prevents mildew. On top of that, the plant looks better after it’s been pruned too, so it’s worth taking the time to do so.
Try to set reminders for yourself when your plants need pruning and don’t put them off. If time is limited, you can always hire a professional to step in and help.
7. Tree topping
While this point is specific to tree pruning, we still feel it is worth mentioning due to its importance. Tree heading basically refers to cutting off the top of a tree to shorten its height, and you shouldn’t really do that. This will seriously stress the tree and can send it into a state of shock or even kill it.
For this reason, you should always check the full height of the tree before planting it – this way, you can be sure that it will not outgrow its size. It would be best for you to contact a professional if you need to prune a tree in this way.
For more outdoor tips, tricks, and instructions, check out our guides on how to prune tomatoes, how to prune roses, how to prune lilacs and how to prune grapes.
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