Gardeners Grapple with Plant Care
Homeowners and orchard enthusiasts are seeking advice on managing their plants, including dealing with overpruning, tree straightening, and pest deterrence. These posts reflect a desire for guidance and reassurance in maintaining healthy gardens.
SOURCES (60)
“You’re looking at the second floor. This thing had a buzz cut about 5 months ago. It grew back so fast! Should I prune the reaching branches at the very base? submitted by /u/whyitno_workgood [link] [comments]”
“Trim back any small tomatoes, don't know about the branches they are on though. I should get out there and do that too.”
“The branches are drooping because of rapid new growth, which often happens after heavy rain. Those long, green shoots haven't fully hardened into woody stems yet, so they bend under the weight of the foliage. Pruning or pinching back the tips of the longest branches by a few inches will reduce that weight, prevent snapping in the wind, and encourage the stems to thicken up and branch out.”
“My lemon tree here is like, falling. Its branches are a little loose and it is like it was losing strength, I don't know what to do or if I have to wait till it recovers by itself. I think it may be because of some recent rains but I'm not quite sure, anyone has an idea why it is like this? I also used some string to try to keep it together in case of a strong wind so it doesn't break it when I'm not looking submitted by /u/Mapache582 [link] [comments]”
“We moved into a new home with fruit trees and the deer roughed them up. The others seem to be doing better but this one is starting to crack. Should I remove? submitted by /u/DurtStar [link] [comments]”
“Im trying to get my gardenia back to being healthy. I've got it from nearly bare of leaves to where it is now but I has taken about 6 months. Any advice on getting her back in shape? Should I prune it back heavily in the areas that arent sprouting leaves. thank you all in advance. submitted by /u/WFAOM [link] [comments]”
“Anyone with practice pruning back yard peaches and apples want to walk me through it ? Live video convo would be fine - Marianne submitted by /u/Real_Swordfish_9880 [link] [comments]”
“I purchased this Dwarf Hinoki Cypress while shopping for landscaping plants. I didn’t do much research other than reading the tag. But now I am growing more interested. When googling, there is a lot of mixed information regarding this. Some photos of others show the shrub close to the ground and without the visible stem or ball shape. My questions are, Will this continue to grow in this shape? Or is this due to pruning What is the true size potential, it said originally 2-3’ What is the best way”
“Hi I'm new here. I have a eucalyptus-like tree in my backyard. It was pruned so the branches grew out towards the right. We weren't great at maintaining it over the last year and now it looks like the branches on the right are weighing down the rest of the tree and it is tilting over. Any suggestions on how I can fix this or is it beyond fixing? There's also mushrooms starting to grow near the base of trunk (in the second photo). Not sure if that means anything? Thanks in advance! &#”
“I have 5 trees that are under 2 years in the ground in my yard and I was wondering is it better to use those curly white plastic wrap thingies or the burlap/cloth wrap for the winter. submitted by /u/Fast_Scallion_6795 [link] [comments]”
“3 years ago we planted one apple tree and last year we planted another one. They seem to be getting some sort of problem with their bark, and I'm worried about how serious it is. Here's some pictures, more text below: https://preview.redd.it/g8pda02qxxrh1.jpg?width=570&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d15e7341c652a91df23d8b9d2b7f5c6bbfda4c98 Some more info: Both are grafted onto rootstock that the seller says will make them grow "large" (there were also small and medium size”
“Pic 1 & 2 are from this spring, the rest are from a couple weeks ago. Inheriting a property with several unmaintained fruit trees on it. I took a single day pruning workshop this spring and took off what obviously needed to go on this plum tree. But I don't know much about fruit trees, let alone their diseases. This is a big old plum tree, 15-20' tall, in Western Montana. We had a late season frost and none of the orchards here got any apples. The other trees on the property don'”
“I'm in 7B, urban area, and have a small backyard that is walled in by an 11' cinderblock wall. In one corner is the tree, which is very established. It's about 8 years old (variety is Chicago Hardy), and has outgrown the space it is in. I normally prune it back to where I can reach all the branches, but didn't last year, and now there are a few large branches that have gotten both too large and too far from the wall I use to harvest from. I was wondering if anyone else had a simi”
“As in the title - what should I do with this tree? It was neglected by the previous owners for a long time and I am not sure if anything can be done... submitted by /u/szydelkowe [link] [comments]”
“You can definitely prune fig trees to suit your needs! You could prune some of the top branches so you can actually reach the figs at the top. I’d recommend pruning in the winter when the tree is dormant. You’ll also want to make sure the branches have good airflow (especially around the base) to prevent rotting fruit/leaves”
“Wait till all the leaves drop, make a small cut in the branch you’re looking to prune. If it doesn’t start pouring out a milky sap, it’s dormant. Prune as desired in dormancy. Pruning hard is not a bad thing, as figs predominately fruit on new wood. The harder you prune it, the more new wood it should produce. My stepfather gave up after about 3 years of aggressively trying to cut down their fig because it just kept coming back stronger. E: just for clarification, if you do nothing, it will get”
“Never prune it? Prune it in the spring? Let mother nature do there thing or should I get involved? submitted by /u/TheLairLummox [link] [comments]”
“I think the only reason I noticed them is cause the tree is still quite small. Im happy to leave them to do their thing.”
“Hello there. I've inherited this young peach tree that survived a tough winter but the main stalk has no growth and there's just two main growth branches coming off from it near the base. How is best to proceed with this? Can the plant be propagated using the two healthy stalks? Thanks submitted by /u/StillScrollingNow [link] [comments]”
“The tree was killed this year and we took it down. Lots of powdery wood pulp in the middle with lots of ants coming out. I would like to save the other apple trees from the same fate. I don't know what kind of apple trees we have. submitted by /u/More-Parking-8909 [link] [comments]”
Also rabbits etc may eat the bark and girdle the tree, which will kill it.
“I've inherented a garden rose from a previous homeowner but I have no idea how to salvage it. So much of the pruning has left thick, dead branches and the live parts are few and far between and growing far too tall and long. How do I properly rid it of the old, dead branches and encourage new, healthy growth, and when can I prune the new growth back? submitted by /u/Substantial-Order545 [link] [comments]”
“So I've planted 2 mulberry trees. Both of the trader variety. They are not growing vertical but rather turning into bushes and by the end of August they both have crummy looking leaves. I'm following the nurseries instructions and they were bare-root. How can I prune these to encourage vertical growth as opposed to dropping bushiness. One plant is 2 years old and the other I just planted this year but was 2 years old at the nursery before it was dug up. submitted by /u/slamtu”
“Hi Everyone, I originally posted the question in a similar manner at r/gardening , and it was suggested I try here as well. I have a grafted evergreen tree that has developed in an odd manner. I've had it about 3 years now and haven't pruned it because it was growing so slowly. I've noticed that there is no central leader, the trunk effectively ends after about a foot, and four main branches are growing horizontally off the trunk, originating within a vertical 1-2 inches of each othe”
“More like should have pruned in May or June, depending on your climate. Generally to avoid pruning off next spring's flowers, Syringa are pruned right after finishing flowering. Should recover though, just a lot fewer flowers this coming spring. actually, thinking about it, since next years flowers are probably already mostly pruned off, use the opportunity to remove some of the older trunks this winter.”
“Hello - could I please get some advice on how much to prune off this green gage tree? It’s about 5 years old and just fruited for the first time this year. It’s got pretty big over the summer but I want to make sure I don’t go too far and stop it fruiting next year. Based in London, UK - we had a hot, very dry summer. Thanks! submitted by /u/fgrimes23 [link] [comments]”
“I'm in Woodstock, GA (zone 7b/8a, red clay) with a 50x20 ft space for fruit trees. So far I have an Anna apple and an Elberta peach, and I'm planning to add a Dorsett Golden to pollinate the Anna. I'm trying to figure out whether I can give each tree a 10x10 section by pruning it to stay around 8–10 ft, instead of the usual 15+ ft spacing. I'm also curious about close planting, like planting multiple trees ose together For those who've done it: How hard is it to keep a full-s”
“Hello, i'm doing some gardening today and i'm curious about the health of my tree. 1: is it in good health 2: is it ok to have branch laying on the floor (disease ?) 3: can i cut everything beyond a certain point ? To keep only the branch that are higher than me for example ? https://preview.redd.it/22nkj01ichqh1.jpg?width=2000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fc5812a5d1ba3c2d7ccbbde2d1786b003072461b submitted by /u/Paupi82riz [link] [comments]”
“I am not far from you, Cary. I avoided cutting this year due to a very dry summer. AI suggested the same as you did.”
“Without knowing exactly where you are it’s hard to give an exact time to reduce them. I’m in Greensboro, NC and we try to do our reductions and renovations in the very early spring. Generally, after the last frost when they are ready to push out new growth. I would also recommend doing regular thinning cuts to allow light and airflow to the insides of the plants so all of the growth isn’t just on the outer shell.”
“I moved in years ago with these already big. However they do have only one use, to cover the electric boxes on the corner of my lot. I would like to cut them way back but afraid it will kill em. Any ideas? submitted by /u/Longjumping-Note-117 [link] [comments]”
“Scarlet Princess Japanese Maple. My wife thinks it didn't get enough water. Is it able to be saved? submitted by /u/Amerizilian [link] [comments]”
“I've used a chainsaw before but am really not a fan of using one unless absolutely necessary. I was more asking if a hatchet or a hacksaw is better. I think I'll need to use the hacksaw.”
“Hello! I am looking for advice from the experts (you)! My peach tree leaves have developed this yellow spotting on top and brown spotting on the back side. What do you think this is? How can i fix this? submitted by /u/Jumpy-Measurement765 [link] [comments]”
“So I know this stuff is useful, need suggestions on what to do with it. My yard is mostly perennial fruit trees and bushes in Metro Atlanta Georgia. Is there a such thing as too much on a plant? submitted by /u/Bacterials [link] [comments]”
“Zone 6b Ones that I planted in the spring are long gone thanks to cucumber beetles =( My second round of cucumbers are doing pretty well. However, I have about 4 weeks left until first frost. Does it make sense to prune them at this time of the year or would you rather let every sucker grow and get most cucumbers out of it before the growing season ends? submitted by /u/rpg528528 [link] [comments]”
“My peach tree has already fruited, ive canned the jam and have finished the jam. My tree was looking pretty sad... so ive been feeding it some plant food. Its snapped back and looks great. Today I was looking at the new growth and discovered this... what???? 7 peaches from one flower. Also... why is it flowering in the fall???? submitted by /u/Dramatic_Tailor2518 [link] [comments]”
“Should I trim this damaged branch on my Brown Select Satsuma? Typically, I would just prune it, but it's the top most branch on this baby tree. Any chance it will scar and be ok? Are there other options? History: it was very mildly damaged when I received it about a month ago and gradually increased with the new growth. The connected branch appears healthy. submitted by /u/boppinbops [link] [comments]”
“https://preview.redd.it/eol9hxi53yph1.jpeg?width=3892&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=97359bc08821c467a3630c8321fc17ed8db4b3c9 This is what it looks like now. It just needs more sun and maybe a bigger pot if you’ve got it in one. I live in norhern pnw”
“We’ve been having a very dry summer and with how busy life has been, I didn’t think to supplement any water to this tree. And I just noticed these dead branches. This is a soft serve false cypress (zone 7b). These branches are goners, super crispy. I’ve been supplementing water ever since I noticed. Should I cut them out, and if I do, will it just be bare or will it push any new growth to fill in? submitted by /u/7abib [link] [comments]”
“Need help with my 20+ year old avo tree. In 95960 area code near the beach. Grows zillions of little avos. Then they turn black & drop off / dry up. Should I feed or water it? Canopy gets plenty of sun, though mainly only natural water from winter rains & Westside Santa Cruz soil. Any help greatly appreciated 🙏They are abysmally small avos. Mostly pit. submitted by /u/tothemax2002 [link] [comments]”
“I am thinking of putting an Anna apple and an Elberta peach in a 50x20 ft spot. Do I have room for a fuyo persimmon or a dwarf fruit tree? submitted by /u/Prestigious_Roof_543 [link] [comments]”
“I have a small permission tree (that was planted via animal or dropped fruit) that’s growing near my established permission tree. However this one has fruit that mature very small. Does anyone know why? submitted by /u/parziva13 [link] [comments]”
“I just brought mine in to over winter for the second year. It's basically turned into a shrub with a woody trunk. Interested to see if it survives to year three and what it will look like. https://preview.redd.it/onavxa513lph1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1c9a71402f8a90d3e66da23ae42637143aeff9e4”
“This spring I topworked a crabapple tree with several variety of apples (ignore the retained bough on the lower right). The grafts that made it past deer and wind are pretty long and I’m looking for feedback on a pruning strategy. Would you winter prune these to provoke vigor, fall prune to improve thickness, or let them continue to cook next season however they choose to go? *edited to add that I got the title auto corrected from pruning to printing. sigh. submitted by /u/sabatoa [l”
“Hi everyone, I’m looking for some advice on my Arctic Fire dogwood. It seems to be struggling with a fungal issue, and it’s also become quite overgrown and leggy. What’s the best way to treat the fungus, and how should I prune it back to encourage healthier growth? Any tips would be greatly appreciated submitted by /u/No-Clue-8187 [link] [comments]”