When to prune Indian Hawthorn depends upon the type of plant and where it’s located. Hawthorn is considered a bonsai plant. It’s a small vine that grows in clusters. They are found mainly in North America, Australia, and Asia. The vigorous growth and thick wood of this vine is what gives it the ability to grow and be an impressive bonsai specimen.
Growing this herb will take a bit of work but the rewards are well worth it. It is easy to grow and is fairly forgiving when you don’t prune it too much. If you let it grow for its full lifetime, it can reach about a foot tall and around three feet long. To keep it growing at its full potential you should cut about a third of the root system each year. Don’t forget to deadhead at least some of the branches.
There are three main types of this plant. There’s the English, Italian and Chinese. Each has its own distinct characteristics. The English has straighter branches and a smaller trunk. The Italian has a straighter body with larger and rounder limbs. The Chinese has a long straight trunk and a short lilac flower.
When to prune this beautiful bonsai? Any time, of course! The Japanese actually prefer this to be harvested right after blooming because it’s easier to trim the branches when they’re in the bud stage. If you want to slow down the growth of the bloom then go after the bloom around its base when it first emerges from the ground.
Once the flower starts to open up (it’s called blooming) remove all the flower buds that were attached to the stem. You may have to pull them out by the roots if you’re not sure how to do it. It should pop out easily at this point. Take some of the plant with you when you do this. This way you can later fill in any gaps.
During late summer is the best time to prune the bonsai. The warm weather will dry out the plant and the branches will not grow as thick. The pruning also stimulates the growth. Be careful not to prune too close to the end of the growing season or the branch will not have time to grow back. Remember that it takes at least two years for most trees to grow back completely from a pruning cut.
The Chinese yearling tree grows fast and easily and produces large and colorful flowers during blooming. To prune the Chinese yearling select only those branches that are growing near the blooming branch. Loosen the branch with the nail and use it to prune. When the branch becomes hard and rigid move it to a higher location away from the blossoms. Again in the late summer the Chinese yearling will produce new shoots, these shoots should be pruned. When the branch reaches a significant distance from the flower it will die back and new shoots will grow in its place.
Pruning is necessary in order to maintain health and beauty. The vigorous growth of these plants requires regular pruning for optimal health. They are quite delicate and the pruning should be done carefully. If the pruning is done incorrectly the growth may be stunted causing it to become unhealthy.
When the Indian Hawthorn begins to form buds in the fall it is time to deadhead them. The buds will not bloom again until the following spring. Remove all of the dead branches on a yearly basis, this keeps the tree healthy. Thicker branches should be removed periodically. Remove branches that are caught in winter winds or are brittle.
When the Indian Hawthorn begins to change color it is time to thin out the branches. The branches are brittle and can break off and cause damage to the tree. The thinner the branches the more easily they can be removed. The best time to thin is in the winter when the trees are cold and most of the foliage is frozen. Cut about one fourth of the branch from each side of the trunk where the branch meets the tree.
When the tree is in a poor health condition due to disease or poor growing conditions it is time to remove the diseased portions of the tree. Remove the portion of the tree that is sick and replace with healthy portions. This will allow the tree to grow out new healthy growth and continue to produce fruit. Remove dead branches and thin out the overall growth. This will allow the tree to get through the winter with minimal issues.
