Lecture # 20 Pruning and Grooming

ENVIRONMENT Air (O 2,CO 2 ) Water regulates speed Temperature and extent of Light Physiological Nutrients processes which Genetic determines type determine composition and nature of PLANT GROWTH organic composition that results in observable

Light Light understory plants

PRUNING: DEFINITION: The selective removal of a portion of the plant in order to: 1. control the size of the plant to remain in the space allotted; 2. remove dead or injured leaves or shoots; 3. develop and maintain the shape of the plant.

OBJECTIVE: Control the size of the plant and its shape. * Because plants in interior environments are observed at close range, the art of pruning must be practiced to enhance the attractiveness of the plant.

Indoor Plants:! Will not be as dense as those grown outdoors; maintaining a tight shape will be difficult.! Grow much slower due to the environmental conditions in the interiors; severely pruned plants will remain unsightly for extended periods of time.

Two Basic Questions: 1. Would it be better to replace the plant with a similar one because pruning would destroy the effectiveness of the plant for an extended time? 2. When is the best time to prune?

The Best Time To Prune ' When the knife is sharp ' Natural plant cycles

Seasonal Considerations ' The rate of growth can only be as rapid as the most limiting factor.' * culture during active growth. * culture during inactive growth;

Strategy : * Frequent light pruning - removal of shoots or shoot tips when small and young. * If a portion of a leaf is injured remove the entire leaf; exception: plants with long, linear leaves. * When removing shoots, make the cut close to the originating stem.

Leaf Pruning

Shoot pruning Growing tips removed at frequent intervals

Apical Dominance * plant with strong apical dominance = one bud break example : Ficus elastica (Rubber plant), Dracaena spp.

Shoot pruning Cut close to the older stems

Pruning Tips: " do not paint cuts with wound paint; " if mandated select a wound paint that contains a fungicide; " remove leaves at the petiole base; " remove flowers at the base of the stalk;

Pruning Tips: " remove fruit where attached; " most species of Ficus secrete a sticky latex sap when pruned; apply small open flame to the wound for a few seconds to seal it.

Main stem Branch bark ridge Natural Target Pruning: A. Branch to be pruned B. Cut third Branch collar Cut second Under cut first

Natural Target Pruning: 1. Locate the branch bark ridge, a raised area at the base of the branch. 2. Find target A, the outside area of the branch bark ridge. 3. Find target B, the swelling where the branch meets the branch collar.

Natural Target Pruning: 4. Make an undercut first if you are removing a limb that is 2" or larger in diameter. 5. Make a cut along the line between target A and target B to remove the limb. 6. If an undercut was made originally (step 4), make a final trim cut along the target line.

Phototropism: * the directional growth of plant parts toward light; * if allowed to continue mature tissue will have a fixed curvature; example : Schefflera, Spathiphyllum, Aglaonema Treatment: turn the plant a quarter turn every few days.

Examples of Phototropism in the Interiorscape

Palm Leaf Phototropism

Palm Stem Phototropism

Topiary * Pruning of plants into unusual shapes: geometrical shapes - spheres, cubes and abstract forms; animal forms. * Usually performed on plants outdoors. * Some indoor plants can be trained in topiaries: Ficus pumila, Hedera helix.

Root Pruning * root pruning of pot - bound plants is essential for optimum growth after repotting; * procedure: pull away the roots from the soil mass and cut back to within 1" of the soil; * alternative method: make three or four vertical cuts 1" deep into the soil mass.

Repotting * Why transplant? * When to transplant? - just before or during active growth of the plant.

Determining The Need For Transplanting 1. The plant appears 'top heavy'. 2. The plant fills the container with new shoots.

Determining The Need For Transplanting 3. Extensive root growth out of the pot's drainage holes.

Repotting Procedure * Root treatment - on removal examine the root system for both color and density; healthy roots should appear white and covered with root hairs; dark and mushy roots indicate disease. Root prune if pot-bound. * New media and container.

Soil Surface Configurations * Soil surface may be shaped to affect moisture in the vicinity of the plant crown. * Concave - wetter. * Convex - dryer. * Accentuate either configuration as time and water will level both; * flat configuration is also adequate.

A Properly Repotted Plant plant vertically aligned and centered in the pot water reservoir appr. 1-2" 1 new soil firmly packed into place, but not to excess original root mass repotted at original depth one inch of new soil on all sides

A Properly Repotted Plant 1 of firmed soil mix at bottom original root mass pot chips or shards to reduce erosion (optional) gravel layer for drainage (optional)

Staking : loose tie * Some plants, as orchids, require open, porous, lightweight mixes. * Adds support to the top, thus increasing stability and reducing stress on newly establishing root system. * Bamboo poles make good plant stakes.

Examples of Staking

Aftercare * Newly repotted plants need time to reestablish contact of their roots and root hairs with the soil. * Watering and fertilization should be carefully monitored for a few weeks.

Cleaning * Cleaning. Why? - water of guttation may accumulate salts along the leaf margins and/or tips creating necrotic areas;

Cleaning * remove dust from leaf surfaces; * why? - dust creates shade on plant surfaces reflecting light that can be used in PS; - dust on lower leaf surfaces may clog stomata, inhibiting gas exchange within the leaf; - dust dulls normal leaf coloration thus lessening plant value.

Cleaning Methods * avoid spraying flowers or flower buds; * allow the spray to remain on the plant five minutes, then rinse with warm water; * protect marble and ceramic floors from leaf cleaners; rinse concrete floors thoroughly after using any leaf cleaning product;

Cleaning Methods * cover the growing medium with plastic so excess water and cleaner do not contaminate the soil.

Cleaning Tools 1. Feather duster. 2. Leaf blower. 3. Hand spray bottle.

Cleaning Tools 4. Gloves. 5. Garbage bags. 6. Paper towels or cloths.

Cleaning Tools 7. Broom & Dust pan. 8. Vacuum cleaner. 9. Ladder.

Leaf Cleaning Products * monoammonium citrate - helps dissolve iron, calcium and magnesium deposits and pesticide residues; * weak (5%) oxalic acid solution.

Plant Polishes * if glossiness is desired; * best used on foliage with a waxy cuticle; * milk or mineral oil can be used as an alternative to commercial polishes;

Plant Polishes * if commercial products are used over an extended time a buildup of polish occurs which may clog stomates.

Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of Plant Growth Control TO CONTROL : PROCEDURES Plant Size Genetic dwarfs or small plants. Chemicals to reduce growth. Pruning; must be done on a continuous basis for most effectiveness. Reduce nutritional levels and irrigation frequency.

Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of Plant Growth Control TO CONTROL : PROCEDURES Plant Shape Prune to remove undesirable shoots, leaves. Treat with chemicals to prevent undesirable growth if chemical is safe and registered for interior use. Bending, retraining, and otherwise physically altering direction of shoot growth.

Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of Plant Growth Control TO CONTROL : PROCEDURES Retard or reduce leaf fall Acclimatize plants for interior location. Maintain low and balanced nutritional levels. Avoid water stress. Future?

Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of Plant Growth Control TO CONTROL : PROCEDURES Prevent bud growth Chemical control? Shorten internode length Growth retardants. Higher light intensities (brighter lights), where practical.

Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of Plant Growth Control TO CONTROL : PROCEDURES Promote directional growth Girdle shoot. The girdle may be partially or completely around shoot. Not successful on all plants.