Summer Pruning of Apples and Pears: Plant of the Week - Sweet Pea ‘Solway Serenade’
Key Highlights :
Summer pruning of apple and pear trees is a hotly contested issue among gardeners. Some swear by it, while others believe it should only be done in winter. The truth is that both sides have their merits, and it’s important to understand the pros and cons of both approaches. This article will explore the issue and give advice on when to prune, as well as introducing the Plant of the Week – Sweet Pea ‘Solway Serenade’.
When it comes to pruning apples and pears, it is important to remember that the prunus genus (plums, cherries, apricots and peaches) should only be pruned between late spring and early autumn when the sap is rising and never during dormancy. If pruned during dormancy, the bark or stem can become damaged, which can lead to the fungal disorder silver leaf entering the tree and eventually killing it.
Some gardeners believe that summer pruning is a waste of time and can encourage numerous new shoots to grow from the cuts. Additionally, they point out that it can be difficult to avoid knocking off ripening fruit while pruning. This is particularly true if there has been a poor fruit set due to frost or drought.
However, summer pruning is important for both young and trained fruit trees. It encourages the desired stems to grow more vigorously, making it easier to train the tree into the desired shape. It also allows more light to reach the ripening fruits, resulting in tastier and better-coloured fruit. In addition, more tiny fruit buds form and ripen more easily in the light.
When pruning, it is important to wait until the lower part of the new growth starts to harden. Stems longer than 20cm should be cut back by at least half to just above a pair of leaves, while shorter stems should be left as they may form fruit buds at the tip of shoots. All vertical shoots should be completely removed.
For the next two or three weeks, pears should be pruned, with apples being pruned from the middle of the next month. It is important to check the tree every few weeks until autumn, removing any new growth that has emerged from the pruned stems.
This week’s Plant of the Week is Sweet Pea ‘Solway Serenade’. This variety has bi-coloured red/pink flowers that add depth and vibrancy to the garden. The plants are short, only growing to about 1 metre, making them more suitable for growing in pots than tall sweet peas.
Like all sweet peas, Sweet Pea ‘Solway Serenade’ should be kept well watered and fed if they are to bloom over a long period. The flowers are strongly scented, which adds to the pleasure of deadheading them.
Summer pruning of apples and pears can be a contentious issue, but with the right knowledge and advice, it can be a beneficial practice. Sweet Pea ‘Solway Serenade’ is a great addition to any garden, providing vibrant blooms over a long period with minimal effort.
