Comments on: Brrr! What NOT to Prune in Winter

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:50:07 +0000

Hi Ellen, I’ve never visited Virginia, so can’t comment. You might find the Pruning and Training book on this page helpful, though. It is my go-to book when I have specific questions like that!

http://www.northcoastgardening.com/2011/01/books-beginning-gardeners/

It’s the one by Brickell and Joyce. Good luck!

By: Ellen Selig

Ellen Selig — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:02:07 +0000

We purchased a home this summer here in Norfolk, Va and now have an angel trumpet that needs pruning. Is this the right time for our zone? And home low do I go to do it properly? Thanks, Ellen

By: Genevieve

Genevieve — Sun, 07 Nov 2010 20:32:00 +0000

Eve, thanks!!

I think it’s only an issue on things that are known to have fungal or bacterial problems or trouble healing from big cuts, like rosemary, ceanothus, fruit trees, roses, and almost all conifers. Conifers of course transmit their sap differently and so heal from pruning less well.

If you were going to make cuts larger than a quarter around I’d probably wait for a dry day too, if possible. Though I’ll be perfectly frank – we get so few of those dry days in winter that I try to just spray my saw with rubbing alcohol (leave on for a minute to kill germs, then wipe dry) when moving from plant to plant and don’t worry too much about dry days.

It is nice if it isn’t actively raining and splashing though. I think a lot of the worst bacteria are actually natural bacteria in the soil – they just aren’t meant to be in open tree cuts.

By: Eve Gilmore

Eve Gilmore — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:20:18 +0000

Gen, great advice as always! On a slightly different note I thought you may be able to advise me on something I feel I should already know. Everyone knows it’s bad news to be cutting on woodies when it is precipitating, but I’m surprised I can’t recall hearing anything in regards to how this might apply to perennials. It’s fall cleanup/major cutting back time here in Colorado and I’m wondering if cutting them back on a rainy day should be avoided. Knowing your climate I would think a.) you’ll surely know (as should I for that matter, having lived there!) and b.) it would be nearly impossible! Thanks for sharing the depths of your wisdom!

By: rebecca sweet

rebecca sweet — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 01:23:26 +0000

Thanks for the link, Gen! I wish I could ‘practice what I preach’ in terms of waiting to prune until March..but unfortunately I just can’t stand looking at my sad, withered Brugmansia and always have to ‘tidy it up’ waaaay too early…Oh well..there’s always next year, right?
.-= rebecca sweet´s last blog ..Garden Bloggers’ Bloom Day – January 2010 =-.

By: Pam/Digging

Pam/Digging — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:48:30 +0000

Oops, sorry, it was Debra Lee Baldwin who added helpful agave info in the comments on my post. .-= Pam/Digging´s last blog ..Foliage Follow-Up: Green despite freezes =-.

By: Pam/Digging

Pam/Digging — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 21:47:08 +0000

Thanks for the link, Genevieve. Readers should be sure to check out the comments on my post too. Susan Morrison, in particular, added helpful info about what to do with freeze-damaged agaves. .-= Pam/Digging´s last blog ..Foliage Follow-Up: Green despite freezes =-.