Lecture # 20 Pruning and Grooming

Lecture # 20
Pruning and
Grooming
ENVIRONMENT
Air (O2 ,CO2 )
regulates speed
Water
and extent of
Temperature
Light
Physiological
Nutrients
processes
Genetic
composition
determines type
and nature of
PLANT
GROWTH
which
determine
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
Leaf Pruning
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:
Branch to be
pruned
A.
B.
Cut second
Under cut first
Cut third
Branch collar
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"
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 :
* 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
loose tie
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.
2.
3.
Feather duster.
Leaf blower.
Hand spray bottle.
Cleaning Tools
4.
5.
6.
Gloves.
Garbage bags.
Paper towels or cloths.
Cleaning Tools
7.
8.
9.
Broom & Dust pan.
Vacuum cleaner.
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 :
Plant Size
PROCEDURES
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 :
Plant Shape
PROCEDURES
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 :
Retard or
reduce leaf
fall
PROCEDURES
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 :
Prevent
bud growth
Shorten
internode
length
PROCEDURES
Chemical control?
Growth retardants.
Higher light intensities
(brighter lights), where
practical.
Some Ways to Achieve Specific Types of
Plant Growth Control
TO CONTROL :
Promote
directional
growth
PROCEDURES
Girdle shoot. The girdle may
be partially or completely
around shoot.
Not successful on all plants.