Glossy medlars bred as a standard attract attention with their striking shape. But the prolific shrubs quickly tend to grow into shrubs. With the right background knowledge, cutting is child's play.
The glossy medlar can also be raised as a standard
The perfect time
Basically, you should cut the high trunk after flowering by October at the latest. A later cut carries the risk that frost will damage the freshly cut wounds. Pruning measures in spring endanger the development of flowers, because the plant only develops its flower buds in autumn.
Choose an overcast and dry day for the care measure. In rainy weather there is a risk of moisture penetrating the wood and damaging the shoot. Too sunny weather increases evaporation and the plant quickly gets into stressful situations. If the shrub sprout too much during the year, you can trim these shoots at any time. Cut back the branches to the next bud.
method
The vigorous growth of many medlars ensures that the aesthetic shape is quickly lost. The shrubs tend to grow like shrubs. With a topiary you preserve the cultivated crown. Remove any drooping and protruding branches that will destroy the spherical shape of the crown. Bare branches are cut off directly at the trunk.
Check to see if the plant has already developed flower buds on the branches. These should not be completely removed, otherwise the shrub will no longer bloom lushly. Cut off shoots that grow from the main stem at ground level.
Tips on how to cut properly
Use sharp pruning shears or pruning shears for the cut. Disinfect the blade beforehand with spirit, alcohol or tea tree oil. Alternatively, boiling water is suitable to remove viruses, bacteria and fungal spores from the blade. When pruning, watch out for the thorns that many varieties develop on the branches.
So you are perfectly equipped:
- Cut older branches with pruning shears
- Shorten young shoots with rose scissors
- Wear gloves and long clothing
When pruning, be careful not to tear the branches. Cuts are entry points for pathogens. If larger cuts have occurred, you can cover them with a wound sealant. Commercially available agents also have a disinfecting effect. They kill pathogens and fungi.