In spring, the roots of plants start to grow actively in the soil. One of the most critical tasks during this period is pruning. In warmer southern regions, it's best to begin pruning in mid to late February, while in colder northern areas, pruning should be done in March or April.
Pruning typically involves cutting back about one-third of the plant’s height. Start by removing weak, diseased, and dead branches. The new shoots that grew last year are usually the strongest, so leave 2 to 3 of them, trimming them with scissors just 1 cm above a strong shoot, which is about 5 cm from the ground. A strong bud is plump, unopened, and slightly swollen.
To avoid creating dense branches as the buds develop, select strong buds that are located on the outside of the plant. Also, make sure to prune where the branches are full. When you cut, if you hear a "squeaky" sound, that’s a sign of a full section. If the cut feels soft, it means you need to trim more aggressively.
For a 2- to 3-year-old main branch, the area near the middle is where new growth tends to sprout the most. So, when trimming, leave only 10 to 20 cm of that section. If you want more flowers, perform a light cut. If you prefer a more balanced, less flowering plant, go for a stronger cut.
Plants that are not growing well should be pruned more severely, as their root systems may be underdeveloped. If the canopy is too large, it can lead to poor nutrient distribution. It's also recommended to apply high-concentration disinfectant during pruning to help prevent pests and diseases.
To keep the trimmed branches from leaning outward, use supports like wooden stakes to maintain an even shape and prevent branches from colliding when the wind blows. Buds on the lower part of sloping branches tend to be stronger and produce more flowers, so take extra care with those.
After pruning, insects that have been dormant start to become active. At this time, mix 10 ml of chlorpyrifos (an insecticide) and 20 grams of wettable sulfur powder in 10 liters of water. Spray the solution onto the plants. Since there are no leaves yet, there's no risk of phytotoxicity.
About 20 days after pruning, buds will start to sprout. During this process, weaker buds will naturally fall off. To ensure good flower development, leave 3 to 4 buds depending on the thickness of the main branches. For thinner branches, leave 1 to 2 buds and remove the rest. In colder northern regions, where sprouting is later, you can delay the germination slightly.
If you applied base fertilizer in December, you don’t need to add more in early spring. Once the buds begin to open, sprinkle some flower fertilizer around the roots to encourage growth. If the surface becomes dry on a sunny day, water lightly before noon to prevent freezing.
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