Prune Kumquats: [Importance, Season, Tools, Considerations and Steps]
Fruit trees require a series of specific care to ensure that their production has the best characteristics and pruning is one of them.
When pruning kumquat there are certain parameters that we must respect to ensure that the plant is able to recover normally.
Being a citrus, its pruning will be more or less similar to what we would apply with an orange or lemon tree. But if you don’t have the slightest idea of what you should do or you want to confirm data, here is the precise information to advance in this task.
Why prune the kumquat?
Kumquat pruning responds to a basic reason for increasing production, which is the main objective when planting a fruit tree in the garden. However, it can also be applied to reduce the number of inoperative elements that usually appear in it or to improve its structure.
In the first case, pruning is supported because inoperative elements usually consume a large amount of energy without contributing anything to production. In the case of the structure, it is an absolutely aesthetic issue and that does not diminish its importance, especially if we want an impeccable garden.
When is it better to carry out pruning of kumquats?
The best season is early spring when there is no longer any risk of frost.
It is very important that the tree is still in the process of awakening from winter dormancy so that the production of sap is not so abundant.
As the days go by, this will increase and will make it easier for the wounds to seal and the tree to recover progressively.
What tools should we use when pruning kumquats?
To prune the kumquat you will need two-handed gardening shears and a handsaw.The idea of having both elements responds to the needs that may arise around the thickness of the branches. In general, a kumquat could be pruned with just scissors, but it’s best to be forewarned.
Of course, as in all the moments in which you are going to manage a pruning, make sure that the tools are sharp and disinfected. Support yourself with gloves and glasses to avoid an accident.
What considerations should we keep in mind when pruning kumquats?
Kumquat pruning is relatively easy to apply and has no major drawbacks other than avoiding excessive cutting. However, planning is an essential task because it will allow you to move forward faster, safer and with clear ideas for the final result.
Therefore, study your kumquat specimen a day or two before pruning, from different angles, and assess which branches you will have to remove.
How to prune kumquats without damaging the tree?
If you have already decided to prune your kumquat, it is best to follow the following recommendations:
- Check for suckers and remove them by making a flush cut to the main branch. These usually protrude between the trunk and a productive branch, are vertically oriented and vigorous. However, they do not bear fruit and, on the contrary, they do consume a lot of energy from the plant.
- Remove any branches that look weak, brittle, dry or diseased.
- Check the internal state of the crown to validate if there are branches that are facing the center and that make it become very bushy. These must be cut because they prevent the correct flow of air and light and can give rise to certain diseases. In addition, also remove the branches that have grown and are colliding with each other. Here keep in mind that you should not prune branches that are very thick because they work as a support.
- Study the branches of the lowest part of the tree and cut those that could bend with the weight of the fruits making them hit the ground. In this case, it is better to get rid of all of them, even if they are thick branches.
- Evaluate the rest of the branches that you have not touched in the previous points to see if they have the appropriate conditions. If you notice that they are unbalanced around their length and that the cup looks messy, you can apply small cuts in those that are needed so that they all measure more or less the same. Ideally, the top of a kumquat should be rounded but don’t get too complicated with that.
By applying kumquat pruning following the instructions and taking care of safety details such as disinfecting tools, you should have no problems. This work will greatly benefit the internal distribution of energy and nutrients, so the plant will look vigorous and with excellent production.
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