Content
- The correct pruning of the firethorn
- Rejuvenation cut for beautiful growth
- The time for the Auslichtungsschnitt
- Another shape cut can be done in early summer
- Tips for the right cut
The correct pruning of the firethorn
The firethorn is a popular solitary and hedgerow shrub, which in autumn sets beautiful color accents in the garden with its bright red or orange-yellow fruits. Since the rose plant tends to grow sparsely, it needs a regular cut.
Rejuvenation cut for beautiful growth
The pruning promotes the richly branched new shoot of the plant. For this reason, young plants should be cut more frequently so that they develop into compact and shapely bushes. Since the firethorn is a very robust wood, it also tolerates a strong pruning well and rewards your effort and care with beautiful growth and abundance of flowers.
The time for the Auslichtungsschnitt
You can make a first cut of the firethorn in February or March. At this time, all the fruits have been harvested by birds, for whom the bright berries of the shrub are a welcome treat in the cold season. When cutting back, remove all long shoots with no ramifications and the branches that are inward-looking with a sharp rose or pruning shears. The cut is always just above the eye. This is the slightly thickened part of the branch, from which later a new shoot will grow.
Another shape cut can be done in early summer
Around the St. John's Day on June 24, the firethorn stops for growth. Now is the right time for another cut. Be sure to watch the brooding birds nesting in the dense foliage and raising their young under the protection of the thorny branches. In addition, do not remove too many umbels, otherwise there will hardly be any fruit in autumn. If you have planted a hedge of firethorn, now is the right time for the hedge trimming. You can make this shape cut with the electric or gasoline powered hedge trimmer. Afterwards, you can cut and clear the bushes just like a solitary plant of firethorn.
Tips for the right cut
When cutting, apply the scissors with a slightly oblique course. So the water at the interface can run off easily and the risk of infection for plant diseases is lower. When cutting back, you should not be too hesitant, because only with sufficient cut, the firethorn has the ability to develop strong and beautifully branched branches. As a rule of thumb, you can safely cut down about a third of the branch. Drought and bare branches are completely removed. Avoid the pruning of the pruning during frost and in the sunny midday hours, as the exposed shoots could be damaged by the weather conditions.