Content
Pruning viburnum is designed to give it a great decorative effect, because in nature this culture can most often be found in a tall form. There are several types of pruning, each with a specific purpose and timing.
Is it possible to cut viburnum
Despite the fact that the viburnum is an ordinary initially wild-growing culture, today it can be found in personal plots and adjoining territories. The "wild" origin of viburnum makes itself felt through the constant formation of root growth and active thickening of the branches.
The wildness of the culture leads to shading of the lower tier, plexus of lateral branches and clogging of the bush with uncontrolled root growth. As a result of a lack of lighting, ventilation and high humidity, a comfortable environment is formed for the development of fungal and bacterial diseases.
It is necessary to cut the viburnum not only in order to give it an aesthetic appearance and protect it from fungal attack, but also in order to preserve the future harvest.
Proper care will extend the life of the viburnum up to 25 years
When to cut the viburnum ordinary
Viburnum ordinary pruning can be carried out in autumn, spring and summer, and yet it is the autumn shaping of the bush that is preferable. The fact is that during this period sap flow stops, leaves fall and the culture begins to prepare for wintering. In the fall, sanitary pruning is carried out, during which diseased, dried and damaged branches are cut off.
Too intense formation of the common viburnum can lead to freezing in the cold season, so on the eve of winter, you should not cut the bush too much.
In the spring, a shaping and rejuvenating procedure is performed. In the first four years, when the culture grows most intensively, it is imperative to cut the viburnum. Subsequently, it is sufficient to maintain the aesthetic state of the green crown.
Is it possible to cut viburnum in summer
Many novice gardeners are concerned about the question of whether it is possible to cut the viburnum ordinary in the summer. This period is suitable for thinning the crown and getting rid of thickened areas in which aphids and other pests can be found.
Rules and schemes for pruning viburnum
The types of pruning viburnum ordinary depend not only on the variety, but also on the age of the plant. So, the seedling must be given time for adaptation and successful rooting. On average, this period is two years. During this period, young shoots are only pinched, and a full-fledged formative pruning is carried out in the third year.
For adult bushes of Viburnum vulgaris, a thinning and rejuvenating formation is organized. Be sure to remove branches growing inward, vertically, crosswise, as well as second-order shoots.
Also, all stems are regularly shortened by one length and the lower root growth is cut off. This allows you to maintain the aesthetic shape of the bush.
When planting a young seedling in the fall, it is necessary to cut off almost all of its shoots, leaving a couple of buds directly above the ground. The stems sprouted next year are pinched at the top level, leaving a length of no more than 30 cm.
Viburnum vulgaris bears fruit on annual growths
All root shoots must be cut out, but the strongest shoots are left and shortened by about a third. This stimulates lateral branching and allows you to give the Viburnum vulgaris bush the desired shape. This procedure is carried out annually.
In addition to the growth of side branches, it is necessary to control the main central shoots. To do this, they are allowed to reach the desired length, after which they are limited in growth, that is, they are pruned.
The autumn formation algorithm is the following sequence of actions:
- Remove weak branches that cannot withstand the weight of the snow.
- Cut off dried shoots.
- When shaping, make a cut directly above the bud so that it is directed "away from the bush".
- Cut the broken branch "under the stump".
- All sections larger than 1 cm must be processed - covered with garden varnish.
There is nothing complicated in the haircut of the viburnum ordinary. Even a novice gardener can carry out this procedure.
What tools and materials will be required
Before work, you must prepare special cutting tools. This can be a saw, a delimber, or a pruner. Each gardener decides for himself what is more convenient. It is desirable that the blade of the knives is made of high quality steel. This will protect the tool from premature rust.
Before starting the procedure, the instruments must be well sharpened and treated with alcohol for additional disinfection. To protect the cuts, use a special putty or garden var.
How to cut a viburnum bush
There are several types of pruning viburnum ordinary. The choice of the optimal type of formation depends on the variety, goals and time of year.
Sanitary pruning
Sanitary pruning is carried out after the end of the harvest. To do this, delete the following types of branches:
- broken;
- affected by disease;
- dry;
- not fallen bunches of berries.
During the autumn formation, do not remove too many branches, otherwise this will lead to a decrease in frost resistance.
Thinning pruning
In the summer, the viburnum ordinary is trimmed in order to prevent thickening of the branches. The best time for the procedure is the moment after the appearance of the leaves, when the ovaries of future inflorescences have not yet formed.
To carry out pruning, you must carefully examine the bush, find all thickened areas and remove excess branches. First of all, cut off the shoots growing inward and upward. Also remove branches that are too close to each other.
Rejuvenating pruning of old viburnum
The lack of regular formation affects not only the appearance of the common viburnum, but also its fruiting. The developmental delay can be observed in the sixth year. Pruning viburnum in the fall is aimed at rejuvenating the culture.
Overgrown branches are gradually removed by cutting them under the root with a garden saw. About one or two old branches are cut off per year, no more. This procedure allows you to rejuvenate the bush and stimulate future yields.
With proper pruning, old shoots will be replaced by strong young growth
The average rejuvenation period is two to three years. During this period, the common viburnum bush will be able to completely renew itself.
In some cases, it is impossible to rejuvenate the viburnum. If there are too small fruits on the bushes for two years, then this suggests that the plant is already more than 25 years old, so it makes no sense to carry out anti-aging pruning. In this case, it is more expedient to uproot the culture.
When the viburnum is formed in the form of a tree, the entire trunk is cut down, leaving several shoots of root growth, after which they are re-grown and a culture is formed.
Formation in the form of a bush
The main task when pruning in the form of a bush is to maintain the splendor and multilateralism of the culture. Viburnum ordinary is convenient in terms of shaping. The pruning shears will be enough to give the plant the desired shape.
When bush pruning, the lower tier of branches is cut out, then wilted inflorescences.Shoots that grow inward or upward are completely removed. In this case, the slices should be located above the nodes, from which flowers should appear next year.
When "bald patches" are found in the bush, a branch is found growing in the direction of this "gap", after which it is cut in such a way that the growth of the bud is directed to an empty space. The next year, after a new shoot appears, this defect will be eliminated.
Viburnum pruning and shaping it in the form of a bush is associated with the regular removal of root growth. Of the central shoots, seven to eight of the strongest are left, after which the growth of the lateral branches is directed. They are cut annually to the desired length. This method of formation is optimal for a fruiting crop.
Shaping as a tree
When forming in the form of a tree, root shoots must be removed almost completely. The central trunk is left, and the crown is eventually given the desired shape. Most often it is round. The tree shape is more decorative. In addition, thanks to her, the common viburnum takes up much less space on the site.
In some cases, especially with a bountiful harvest and foliage, the crown can be so heavy that it will damage the trunk. The problem is solved by installing additional props.
The yield of Viburnum vulgaris in the form of a tree is lower than that of a crop cut in the form of a bush
Care after pruning
After the shaping procedure, it is necessary to process all fresh sections with a solution of copper sulfate and let them dry well. Only after that they can be "closed" with a garden pitch.
When pruning Viburnum vulgaris in dry and hot weather, the culture must be well watered, since the shaping procedure is stressful for the plant.
Conclusion
Viburnum pruning is a very simple and common procedure aimed at creating a decorative appearance and maintaining the quality of the crop. It must be carried out regularly. Only in this case the bush or tree will delight the owner with lush flowering and healthy berries.
