Summer pruning
Keeping it under control…
In order to retain their desired shape, the longest shoots of the somewhat older plants (from 4 - 5 years) are pruned in the summer months. If you prune before July it’s likely that every pruned shoot will double. The result is a compacter plant with more shoots. In theory the strongest shoots should be pruned the shortest. They will grow the strongest later.
Winter pruning
Winter pruning or pruning into shape…
Winter pruning occurs from November to March. That’s when the plants are ‘shaped’. Lots of attention is paid to bringing the shape of the plant into balance. The shorter you prune it, the more beautiful and compacter the plant will be. This is very important for later when the plants will be outdoors in all types of weather. Giving the plants balance offers them sturdiness.
Young plants are pruned into shape without aids. The trained eye of an expert is all it takes…
Older and more voluminous trees are sometimes pruned using a wooden structure for pyramids and columns and a pitch circle for ball shapes.
