what DOES need pruning?

pruning is the thing where you cut a couple inches off of plants and trees right??? well what would benefit around this time of year, or in the coming months. i figure you might know specifically what needs it for zone 8 teepi, since you used to live here too.

 

Hi Brother Fractual, how's it goin'?
Yea, pruning is what you said, plus more. It can be removing old or dead limbs, limbs trimmed for shape(couple of inches to the whole thing), limbs removed because they're crossing other limbs, lots of reasons and amounts removed. Some pruning is done help the plant, some to help a gardener, and some just to make the plant look better or not spread too much.

Example 1: Around my neck of the woods, there are a lot of peach farmers. When their trees get a couple of years old, they'll prune them into the shape of a bowl. That way all the branches get better sunlight and air circulation. Plus the picking (all done by hand) is easier.
Example 2: I've been working on developing blackberries into another cash crop here at my little farm. Blackberries are a strange plant. The roots are perennial, but the canes (above ground growth) are bi-annual. The canes grow to a good size one year, then flower and have fruit the next year, then die the winter after that. The idea is that after the fruit is picked, to prune out all the canes that'll die the coming winter. That gives the canes coming up (next years fruiting canes) better sunlight, air circulation, water, etc., so they'll be as good as possible.
Example 3: I know a couple of folks who are into topiary. Lots of pruning involved for artistic effect. Here's a link to a topiary garden in the middle of Ohio. http://www.topiarygarden.org/photos_available.htm

As to your pruning, I'll certainly bow to Tepee's knowledge and experience to advise you as to what, when, how much, to prune. But I'll make this guess, she'll need to know, maybe a list, of what you've got that may need pruning.

Hope this was at least some help.
Peace, Poor_Old_Dad

 

Yeppers POD, all you said and yes I would like a list sweetie.

I know you have roses, and some trees but what else do you need??

I also have an abundance of wild raspberries and Blackberries just crazy with a big tangled mess along the road and up the drive. Am going to move alot and put around the garden as a stop gate.

Let me know Alex what you want to know about and I will give you what I know,
teepi

 

basically anything that grows wild here, i was hoping you would know... i'll have to bring a camera with me on my next field trip. i have 4 of these bad boys, the bush to the far right, im not sure how good this picture turned out, im gonna go need to take more either way though.

 

Thats called an Acuba.
Some know it as a gold dust shrub.
Its botanical name is..Acuba japonica viriagata.
It likes dry shady areas and because of its slow growth you should only do selective pruning if it ever needs it because its in your way or threatening something elses growth.
You can take softwood cuttings in the spring and dip them in rooting hormone place in damp sand ina shady area, should root in about 3-5 weeks.
I don't know what all grows wild where your park is, There are tons of things that will grow wild in Norfolk.
Just keep in mind that if you prune anything in the fall then you have more warm weather and it thinks its warm enough it will start sending out new shoots that can be damaged by following cold snaps.
Wait until February to prune back most trees and large shrubs.Let me see anything else you come across.
teepi

 

my mums are looking rather sad an just not very mumsy...are they not getting enough light or what? then there is this really pretty bush that got really holey this year, looks like something ate it...then ther is this wild plant that shot up all over the place and grew like crazy...this one got to at least 5 feet, in just one year, unless i never noticed before, but they all got huge this year, they all have purple stocks and grew purple berries and white(if i remember right) pollen looking flowers. and then theres kitty eleanor checking out the compost pile in the making

 

Mums look a bit dry...snip off the older flowers and put some mulch around them, water well.
can't tell what the second one is , looks variegated. holey is rampant this year, bugs.
But the bush looks healthy, it will be fine soon as the bugs will be leaving.
The wild thing may be Va. Creeper or a porclein vine, they grow fast and get woody after awhile.
Va. creeper is nice but don't let it grow on your house if you have siding..it wil grow right under it and screw it up.
You can cut it back if its getting out of control.
But if the leaves turn pretty shades od purple, gold and green this fall and it has purple berries then it may be a porcelian vine. They are so nice.

And eleanor is growing and so cute.I'm so happy you have her,
teepi

 

no no... it is not a vine, it is much more of a tree, or maybe a tall tree-like bush, there are just lots of vines around the one i took picture off...i really dont think the mums are dry, ive been watering them every other day with medium temp. water, almost a whole jug between the 2 of 'em i have, they are both no bigger than a square half foot, maybe 3/4 of a foot...although i did not water very well once i planted them, or got them in my possession for about a week, give or take a couple days... she is a cutie though isnt she?

 

Awww I need to get 2 more kittys before spring, she is a doll.

Have you been getting any rain there??? Its been dry as a one here, but its finally raining right this minute.
The shock from transplanting may be finally coming through on the mums, and did you saturate the hole before you put them in???
Also when you transplant any small shrub or flower its best to trim off the very ends of the roots as this will make it send out new feeder roots and take in more water.

I would do as I said in the above post and see how it does.

In the other one, I can't tell what it is, see if you can start talking to someone on your strret who has a nice yard, see if there are any older people out doing yard work, it would be a treat for them to see your interest.
Gardeners are usually very sharing people.
teepi

 

i found a small acuba growing near one of the 4 we have, it picked a bad time to start growing as its just starting to grow, just a wee little thing... could i maybe bring it inside for the winter, or anything else? i'm really interested in cloning things right now, anything really, info on that from experience is def. welcomed as the net didnt offer anything good and solid.

 

I'm putting this book and some plant food in the mail for you Saturday...it will help you bring in some stuff.

Remember some things need a cold spell and should not be brung in, it will die. But there are some things that can acclumate to an inside environment.

 

awesome! your the (wo)man, teep! do you think you could maybe get it up for a little faster delivery this time though, or will the plants have time to survive until then? i will have loads of stuff to send you come christmas time, as well as everyone else i know on the forums and off, my table of gifts is already overflowing in the trash, and this trash stuff is reallllllly gonna pay off, i've got a pretty cool story i'll have to share at sams place about the 'magic' you referred to in the old hippies forum.

also, do droopy leaves mean not watering enough or over watering? and the clones you said that had to be on a vine and i just did without any knowledge seem to be doing fine so far, i had one already rooting that broke off on the ride home, and its in a new cup now so i should have at least one, but the leaves are all green and healthy looking so far, might end up getting too many, that will be like 6 vine plants in our house if they all work out okay, the ones in the water havent rooted for like 2 days, but the stems vary for each one, i have one thats like 3-4 inches, and others that barely break one probably, so i dont know what qualifies as a vine exactly since the whole plant is vine and leaf...

oh yeah, and i am finally getting around to finishing/starting my compost pile, just started my bag of twigs for the ground, does it have to be a specific kind of twig, and what are the ideal sizes? i have all sorts, but i didnt know how thick they should be, i know length is less than2 inches, i also dont know how to spread them on the ground... and coukd you possibly simplify this nitrogen carbon equation and how i am to layer the two?

 

Yeah I'll send it first class since it will be a smaller package than last time.
I'm keeping my eye out for a book on composting for you...but Alex, one of the very best things you can do is go get you a library card. There are tons of books on all this stuff. And they will also have a book about native plants for Norfolk...I used to go to the one on Hampton Blevd, and off Military Hwy and Kirn downtown and the one over by Maury but I can't remember where the closest one to you is. If you don't know then look in the phone book.
But I will keep my out for more I can send you 'cause there's nothing like your own book.
Sounds like your cuttings are doing fine, and just put a bunch in the same pot when the roots get about 2" long, get some good potting soil and lay a layer of gravel (washed) in the bottom of your pot first so the soil won't pack down over the drainage hole.
The main thicker stem is the vine and the leaves are off shoots on that.
I usually water 1 good time a week in warmer weather or if a plant is in a warm room, but it depends on the plant too. Some like to dry out between watering and some like to almost bu
Tips for Growing Pothos
What are the light requirements for pothos? The green variety can take low light, but the variegated ones prefer medium light. The variegated types will live in lower light, but their variegation may fade. Pothos can take bright light, if necessary, but not direct sun. The leaves will scorch.
How much water do they need? Pothos plants prefer to dry out between watering. Check the soil with your finger. If it is dry about an inch down, it is time to water.
Do they have any special temperature requirements? Pothos are comfortable in the same temperature range indoors as most people are. Just like us, they get a bit chilly below 60º and warm above 75º. During periods of time when the temperatures are higher than 75º, be sure it isn't too dry and try to raise the humidity.
Do pothos need much humidity? They are not extremely fussy about it, but they do not like it as dry as it usually is in our homes in winter. Mist them several times a week or keep the pot sitting on a humidity tray.
How much fertilizer do they require? Since they don't bloom and they grow slowly, pothos should be fed monthly with a liquid or water soluble plant food like Bachman's Excel Gro at half the recommended rate.
What type of soil do they prefer? Pothos prefer a good loam-based mix like Bachman's Exceloam.
When should I repot my pothos? They seldom need repotting and the roots dislike disturbance. Repotting every other spring would be enough. Be sure the container has good drainage.
Will they need any grooming? Dust can build up on pothos leaves and needs to be removed. An occasional wipe with vegetable oil will help the leaves shine. Avoid using commercial leafshine product.
How are they propagated? Pothos are propagated by tip cuttings. They can even be rooted and grown in water, even though the plant, when potted, cannot stand to have its roots waterlogged.

Troubleshooting Problems with Pothos
My plant grows so slowly and has a long distance between leaves. What can I do? The plant needs to be fed and it may not be getting enough light.
What makes the rusty marks on the leaves? Leafshine products can cause these marks. If the damaged leaves are too unattractive, clip them off where they join the stem.
Why are the leaves yellowing and looking rough? The plant may have spider mites. If you can, stand the pot in the tub and spray the leaves, especially on the underside with tepid water to wash off as many mites as possible. Then spray with insecticidal soap, paying special attention to the bottoms of the leaves again. Try to raise the humidity in the plant's environment. The mites prefer it hot and dry.
What are the white, wooly patches on the stems and leaves? Those are mealy bugs. If there are only a few, wipe them off with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol. If there are a lot, spray the plant with insecticidal soap. You will still need to wipe off as many as you can to get rid of their remains. If the plant has a sticky residue on the leaves from the mealy bugs, give it a shower or wipe the leaves with a damp cloth to remove the mess.
Why are my plant's leaves and stems limp and drying up? Several things can cause these symptoms. Usually this is an indication that its environment is too hot and the air too dry. Try to move it to a cooler location and increase misting or place the plant on a humidity tray. These symptoms may also indicate the plant is being kept too wet. Only water more if the plant is truly dry. They don't like wet roots. Be sure to check the plant for spider mites too. They take advantage of situations like this.
What can I do to stop my variegated pothos from turning plain green? Move it to a spot with higher light, being sure to avoid the direct afternoon sun.
The leaves have become strangely pale very quickly. What is wrong? The plant is receiving too much light too suddenly and is sunburned. Move it to a shadier location. Damaged leaves may need to be removed.
There are brown spots and black edges on some of the leaves. What is causing this? The plant is being kept too wet. Allow the soil to dry out more between watering. Always stick your finger in the soil to see if it needs water, don't just water it because it is the day you always do or the surface is dry.
My pothos has collapsed. I watered it more and it hasn't helped. What can I do? The plant is probably waterlogged or has become too cold. If the temperature is below 60ºF. move it to a warmer spot. If it is too wet, check to see if the pot is standing in water. Always empty the saucer after you water the plant.
t not completly get dry.

 

teep man! got your book and plant food today, your great teepi, ya really are, and i have the PERFECT christmas present for you, i swear you were the first thing that popped into my mind when i saw it... but i may find something else for you before then also and probably a little more come christmas time, i've found loooads of gifts for everyone i know and then some, plus lots of cool sewing material which will be my next project probably...but it would be nice if you read all of my posts too, lol... or maybe i didnt read all of yours(didnt need alll that potho, though it was really nice of you if you typed or found that out on the weekend with larry home) but i asked some compost questions in the last paragraph of my last post... thanks again teep, my mom thinks i'm that much weirder now, so its been a good night =)

and i bought this at a yard sale yesterday, and when i went to repot it i saw this radish bulb lookin' thing, some sort of vegetable that grows underground i thought, or is this just a different species of plants? actually, now that i think about it, i could probably go check the other book you gave me to find this out...



also, what stuff makes paint brighter or look finer when you paint over it? i found this gorgeous circle wooden container with a bluebird painted on it with the most classic facial expression, but it has worn with the years i guess but i dont want to paint over it...oh and how do i paint those shoes agian??? i have big ol' things(glad i got those now, i have a small 2 inch coffee type table i want to paint black along with a white chair which is what the stuff was meant for, and i can find more probably) of acrylic latex enamel and polyeurthane oil enamel, i can take a pic of the shoes if that would help, they are leather or pleather, a little different than normal tennishoe mateiral but a little different i think, thicker maybe, i can take a pic if that would make a differnece? and sorry for all the questions, again you are like my guru of activitieis, don't know what i'd do withoutcha!

 

I use clear acrylic spray for anything that I have done in pastels.Some of my acrylic paintings are actually mixed mediums with pastels. The spray keeps them from smearing.
Or I use polycrylic in the blue can, get it at lowes or home depot.
This will protect things and keep the paint from peelig.And make your paint look brighter. It comes in a matte or gloss finish.

There is fabric paint for your shoes or I think you said it was kinda slick material...there is a new product called "fushion" that Krylon (spray paint) makes that is made to cover plastic or anything with a smooth finish that acrylics would chip off of.

I do put brush and twigs in my long term compost pile, along with bark from around our wood chopping block, this takes awhile longer to break down.
I have another that uses more of a balanced carbon/nitrogen ratio to break down a bit quicker for use in the garden....then I have another pile aways from these made of our poop,sawdust, urine, and peat...for the flower beds that contain no vegtable or herbal plants.
below is a good table showing the carbon/nitrogen ratio in common compost materials. Also a few good recipes.

Table of Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
Material C/N Ratio
Urine 8:1
Blood 3:1
Human feces 6-10:1
Fresh Grass Clippings 12:1
Tomatoes 12:1
Average barnyard manure 14:1
Horse Manure 18:1
Red Clover 27:1
Fern 43:1
Oat straw 48:1
Timothy Hay 58:1
Leaves (average) 70:1
Wheat straw 128:1
Rotted sawdust 208:1
Raw sawdust 511:1
Table modified from Gottaas, Composting, as found in Stoner, Goodbye to the Flush Toilet!!!

Recipe #1
2 parts Dry Leaves CC Browns
2 parts Straw/wood shavings CCC Browns
1 parts Manure NNN Greens
1 parts Grass clippings NN Greens
1 parts Fresh garden weed N Greens
1 parts Food Scraps NN Greens

Recipe #2
3 parts Dry Leaves CC Browns
1 parts Fresh garden weeds N Greens
1 parts Fresh grass clippings NN Greens
1 parts Food scraps NN Greens

Recipe #3
6 parts Dry Leaves CC Browns
3 parts Food scraps NN Greens
3 parts Fresh grass clippings NN Greens

Recipe #4
3 parts Dry Leaves CC Browns
3 parts Fresh grass clippings NN Greens

Recipe #5
3 parts Dry grass clippings C Browns
3 parts Fresh grass clippings NN Greens

N= nitrogen C=carbon
NN= higher nitrogen CC= higher carbon
NNN= higher nitrogen CCC= highest carbon

Layering is not too hard, when you take your food scraps out throw them on the pile then sprinkle with a bit of browns then a bit of greens then a bit of dirt is good.
If you do use leaves,always layer with grass clippings if your using larger amounts.
You can throw your gerbil bedding and waste in there too.
BUT NO CAT POOP!!!!
Animals that are meat eatters are a NO_NO, can be very harmful to you. So horse or cow or rabbit waste is fine but not dog or cats.

The plant in your pot appears to be a kind of lilly.
You could keep it in a window in the house and see how it does or plant it out in the yard and put some mulch on it and see what comes up in the spring.

Yard sales are great for getting good deals on plants..but always inspect them before you bring them in for bugs and any kind of mildew or mold.

teepi

 

so just any ol sized twig will do? hey, i found this tonight in some rich assholes trash can probably because of the injured looking leaves, its missing like half of its bottom and its whole root system was visible riding it home, put it in a pot and with some fresh dirt on tops and bottoms, does anyone know anything about it at all or nursing it back to health? i also found some wooden things that would be perfect to make things for my vines to vine on, these were the very first 2 finds i had tonight, almost like the universe is saying yes, keep gardening!

-also found this huge fernish looking thing that someone was throwing away, and the purple rubbermaid pot for it, which was a total bitch to carry home, but made for a nice mask for anyone who saw me...anywho, pretty sure it is an outdoor plant but dunno to keep it in for the winter or plant it outside or leave it potted outside or what?

 

The one on top is a new guinea impatien it may live inside if you put it in a good window for the winter and keep it just a bit moist...not too wet, but don't let it dry out...then in the spring you can plant it in the SHADE.

The other is a boston fern good window inside in a room thats not real warm, it likes to be a little cool inside.
It also likes moisture and you can put it in the shower once a week and let it get a good soak then drain any water off and put it back in its window, also get a spray bottle with plain water in it and mist it every day.

Good trash pickin's there.
I miss Norfolks trash...

Oh make sure that blue bucket or what ever your going to keep that thing in has plenty of drainage holes on the bottom.
I would take it out, punch some holes, put about 2 inches of gravel or some of those strofoam peanuts people pack with in there then potting soil then the plant, make sure you put something under it so the water won't drip onto the carpet or anything...mom will get pissed.

 

yeah i was wondering whether to put gravel under the things i was repotting or not, i put some near the drainage holes for most, hope that was okay... i've been misting them with a spray bottle, a little on the ones in their original pots and a lot on the repotted ones since i read in the book you sent that it helps them adjust, great book by the way, definatley need to read more of it, but it did not say how often to mist since it is evaporating very quickly here.

and whats up with the burn marks on these new guineas? i dont think its sunburn because then it would be on the outer side of the leaves mostly, i think, so maybe it is over ferted or something? and that thing is divided into 4 sectors of stems, would it be okay to cut one out and repot it??? how much of the roots would i want to cut out, or should i cut a clone and stick it in water? also talked to a friend about doing cuttings and she taught me how to clone properly, even gave me some clones of her own which added some variety to my garden, am currently trying my hand at these beeaaautiful golden stemmed arrowheads nephyltis(?) vines with the prettiest shades of green and purple, and these white and green arrowheads, got 'em from k mart last weekend, along with some strange looks, lol....but yeah eventually i will be able to give her some plants back too, very cool lady... maybe even mail some back to you if thats possible if you need/want any for your house. oh, and how long does it normally take cuttings in water to root?

lol and norfolk does have some amazing trash, it is sordove depressing to see some of the stuff you do though... im making my first 50 bucks tommorow hustling stuff through this barter board at my moms work which is sordove like ebay, but free to use...

 

Whenever I transplant or ot up something I always put a layer of gravel or styrofoam peanuts in the pot first.
If you ever order things in the mail alot of companies use those things and if its a big pot they don't weigh as much as gravel.
Its helps with drainage, that way the plants roots aren't sitting in water.
And it helps to flush through mineral deposits.

Yes that could have come from over fertalizing.
Thats why I like to use a natural fetalizer ie: compost.
Or water soluble fertalizer when I water.

If you do divide the plant make sure you get a good piece of root on what you cut off.
Aslo use a clean sharp knife.
I have a knife I use just for this, and I give it a swipe with alcohol before I cut.
I wouldn't cut anything right now that you are just getting. Being moved and getting used to a new enviroment is enough of a shock. Wait about 3 weeks then give it a try.

Also that fern may not be a boston fern...there's another that looks very similar...It's a silver something I believe.
But you would do the same as for a boston fern.
They like it a bit shady outside and do well outside in the summer.
Mist it a couple times a day when you have the heat on in the house.
And even if it gets a little dry looking and loses some fronds, keep it watered and misted and then in the spring sit it out in the shade and it should perk up..

Thats great that you will make something on your finds, pains me too to see how careless some sre with throwing away stuff.

teepi

 

What DOES need pruning?

Every kind of tree, and especially young trees.

Every kind of fruiting bramble -- rapsberry, blackberry, and the others.

Every kind of flowering shrub, but the time of the year to prune is different. You need a book to determine when, but basically:
If it flowers in spring -- wait until after it flowers.
If it blooms in fall -- prune it during the dormant period.

Also grapes, perennials, and if you want your evergreens to be full and thick, they need pruning too.


Basically, pruning is essential for everything, but it isn't the same for everything.