Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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Hi, I've recently purchased a Photinia (little red robin) bush online (on a bit of whim). It's arrived, but the branches are at awkward angles, so was wondering if there was anything I could do to basically straighten it up, if re-potted.
Thankyou
Hi, I've recently purchased a Photinia (little red robin) bush online (on a bit of whim). It's arrived, but the branches are at awkward angles, so was wondering if there was anything I could do to basically straighten it up, if re-potted.
Thanks for your question. Ideally I’d need to see a picture of your Red Robin (Photinia) to advise. What I would say is Photinia tend to get quite congested if not pruned properly to begin with.
Thanks for your question. Ideally I’d need to see a picture of your Red Robin (Photinia) to advise. What I would say is Photinia tend to get quite congested if not pruned properly to begin with.
If you look at the base you’ll see the laterals (side shoots) are pointing right. Like they have been reaching for light once the plants been propagated. From a cutting the plants hasn’t been formatively pruned to set it up for balanced growing success,
The only way to fix this properly is to prune out all of the awkward growth. See attachment.
Or just leave it to see if it levels out. Probably not. It’s more then fact it’s an awkward cutting used to root and it need formative pruning to resolve.
Formative pruning is a horticultural practice that involves selectively trimming or pruning a young plant or tree during its early growth stages to encourage healthy development and shape the plant's structure. The main objective of formative pruning is to establish a strong framework of branches and stems that will support the plant's long-term growth, health, and appearance.
Here are some key points about formative pruning:
Timing: Formative pruning is typically done when a plant is young, usually in its first few years of growth. It is important to start pruning early to guide the plant's growth and shape it according to desired characteristics.
Structural Development: The primary focus of formative pruning is to establish a well-balanced and sturdy framework for the plant. By selectively removing certain branches or stems, the pruning process helps create an open structure that allows light and air penetration, reducing the risk of disease and promoting overall plant health.
Correcting Defects: Formative pruning can also be used to correct structural defects or problems in the early stages of growth. For example, if a young tree has multiple competing leaders (main upward branches), formative pruning can remove the weaker ones, promoting a single, dominant leader.
Shape and Aesthetics: Pruning during the formative years helps shape the plant according to the desired form or aesthetic preferences. It can involve removing excessive growth, maintaining a specific height or width, or creating a particular branching pattern.
Pruning Techniques: Various pruning techniques can be employed during formative pruning, including the removal of entire branches, selective branch thinning, or shortening branches to encourage branching and denser growth.
Regular Maintenance: Formative pruning is typically an ongoing process and may require periodic maintenance pruning in subsequent years to maintain the desired structure and shape. However, as the plant matures, the focus of pruning may shift towards maintenance rather than formative shaping.
If you look at the base you’ll see the laterals (side shoots) are pointing right. Like they have been reaching for light once the plants been propagated. From a cutting the plants hasn’t been formatively pruned to set it up for balanced growing success,
The only way to fix this properly is to prune out all of the awkward growth. See attachment.
Or just leave it to see if it levels out. Probably not. It’s more then fact it’s an awkward cutting used to root and it need formative pruning to resolve.
Formative pruning is a horticultural practice that involves selectively trimming or pruning a young plant or tree during its early growth stages to encourage healthy development and shape the plant's structure. The main objective of formative pruning is to establish a strong framework of branches and stems that will support the plant's long-term growth, health, and appearance.
Here are some key points about formative pruning:
Timing: Formative pruning is typically done when a plant is young, usually in its first few years of growth. It is important to start pruning early to guide the plant's growth and shape it according to desired characteristics.
Structural Development: The primary focus of formative pruning is to establish a well-balanced and sturdy framework for the plant. By selectively removing certain branches or stems, the pruning process helps create an open structure that allows light and air penetration, reducing the risk of disease and promoting overall plant health.
Correcting Defects: Formative pruning can also be used to correct structural defects or problems in the early stages of growth. For example, if a young tree has multiple competing leaders (main upward branches), formative pruning can remove the weaker ones, promoting a single, dominant leader.
Shape and Aesthetics: Pruning during the formative years helps shape the plant according to the desired form or aesthetic preferences. It can involve removing excessive growth, maintaining a specific height or width, or creating a particular branching pattern.
Pruning Techniques: Various pruning techniques can be employed during formative pruning, including the removal of entire branches, selective branch thinning, or shortening branches to encourage branching and denser growth.
Regular Maintenance: Formative pruning is typically an ongoing process and may require periodic maintenance pruning in subsequent years to maintain the desired structure and shape. However, as the plant matures, the focus of pruning may shift towards maintenance rather than formative shaping.
Lee Burkhill: Award Winning Designer & BBC 1's Garden Rescue Presenters Official Blog
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