Pruning kampsis: how and when to cut a vine
A characteristic feature of Kampsis is that it grows quickly and suppresses everything, because it is not for nothing that it is called an aggressive vine. Therefore, pruning a campsis is an integral, important and necessary procedure for its cultivation. If you neglect it, the bush will not only grow and climb wherever it pleases. It will turn into a messy bush, besides, it will clog the neighboring plants. And with its tenacious aerial roots and incredible vitality, Kampsis can even destroy buildings. When is it better to start pruning and how to do it?
Kampsis produces bright large inflorescences-bells on young shoots. If the purpose of cultivation is not only a decorative green wall, old branches should be cut out in time. Then flowering will be annual, abundant and lush.
Timing of cutting vines
Campsis grows well after a haircut, no matter what time it is. This makes it possible to form a bush throughout the growing season.
You can start the procedure both in spring and autumn, taking into account some of the nuances:
- Spring pruning must be done before buds begin to bloom on the shoots. So the bush is less injured and grows back faster.
- In the fall, the vine can only be cut after it has faded.
To form a shrub, it can be pruned throughout the summer, removing excess shoots as necessary.
Pruning Kampsis - the main points of the procedure
For abundant flowering, the vine needs good lighting. A thickened bush will only increase the deciduous cap, but the flowering will become scarce.
To liana from the very beginning, it evenly developed and bloomed magnificently, you need to start pruning and shaping in the first years of her life:
- Choose no more than 3 strong shoots from a young kampsis, and cut the rest completely.
- As you grow, direct the branches in the right direction.
- The next year, in the lower part of the bush, leave only those shoots that are lignified. In the crown, cut out all thin and weak stems, leaving up to 4 young ones.
- Shorten the left branches to 3 buds.
- Do this annually. Remove overgrowth at the bottom of the stem. Cut out extra last year's branches, leaving a couple of young vines for replacement. Shorten abandoned shoots.
If you do not run the shrub, it will be beautiful and well-groomed, and the flowering will be abundant. Otherwise, Kampsis will form a beautiful green wall, but will not please with the number of buds.