Berry bushes are a popular crop at every site. Subject to the rules of agricultural technology and growing conditions, they give a high yield. Pruning is one of the most important activities.
Blueberry pruning rules
Blueberries are a tall, upright shrub. It is spreading, with a lot of shoots. The harvest is formed on the branches of the previous year.
Pruning helps regulate:
- the amount of the crop;
- taste of berries and their size;
- the number of fruiting branches.
In middle and northern latitudes, the procedure begins in early spring. In the southern regions, it is permissible to carry out pruning in the fall, as soon as the entire crop has been harvested and the leaves have completely fallen. The formed bush is cut off only 4 years after planting.
In the process, remove:
- weak and old shoots from the middle of the bush;
- thickening;
- drooping;
- lying on the ground;
- small;
- thin.
Only strong, healthy, most promising branches are left.
Chokeberry
Aronia is a densely growing shrub that has several dozen branches of different ages. The bush thickens quickly due to the fact that the shoots are formed from the base of the bush and the root collar. However, fruits appear only at the ends of the lateral and crown branches.
They start pruning chokeberry in the fall, after the plant has completely shed its leaves. Or at the very beginning of spring, since the growing season for chokeberry begins early.
In the process, they cut off:
- thickening branches;
- shoots over 7 years old;
- thin out the bush, increasing the quantity and quality of the fruit.
No more than 20 large, strong branches are left on the plant.
Actinidia
Actinidia is a deciduous vine whose fruit tastes like kiwi.
The plant forms shoots of 3 types:
- large growth - up to 2 m;
- mixed - up to 80 cm;
- short, generative - no more than 10 cm.
It is on the latter that the fruits are formed.
Actinidia has a large number of lateral buds that form branches. When activated, the vine thickens strongly. Therefore, the main goal is thinning.
The procedure begins in the fall, when the plant has completely shed its leaves. In the spring, they do not carry out the event, since the procedure is very exhausting during the period of sap flow.
Formative pruning of actinidia is of 2 types:
- in the form of a bush;
- on the trellis.
Honeysuckle
The culture is a highly thickened, upright bush. The annual growth of branches is up to 60 cm.
Depending on the variety, a large number of dormant buds are formed on the bush, which, upon awakening, strongly thicken the plant.
The event is carried out both in autumn and summer, at the end of fruiting. Experienced gardeners recommend the latter type, since it promotes the formation of new fruit buds located in the central part of the bush.
In early spring, remove:
- frozen shoots;
- dry;
- broken.
Honeysuckle pruning begins at the age of 7 to 10 years after planting. The timing directly depends on the growth rate of a particular variety.
Blackberry
The plant is similar to raspberry in biological characteristics. Forms fruits on the shoots of the second year.
The procedure begins in the fall, as soon as the entire crop is harvested.
In the spring, before the start of sap flow, remove:
- frozen biennial branches;
- damaged;
- dry;
- broken.
In the summer, the formation of annual shoots is carried out. The activity is aimed at forming a bush that will be convenient to cover for the winter.
Two-year-old branches are pruned at ground level.
Pruning is an important event that allows the plant not only to acquire a well-groomed appearance, but also to actively bear fruit every season, to give a large harvest with high taste.
Read also: Top dressing of apple trees in the fall: what fertilizers are best to apply to get a good harvest next year
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