The classification of "vines" encompasses a wide variety of plants that have long stems that grow their way upwards by holding onto some sort of support. They can be solely foliage plants such as ivy, flowering plants like clematis, or fruit bearing such as grapevines. Found in many gardens and landscapes, vines change the visual impact by encouraging foliage and texture upwards.
Even though they grow differently than typical flowering plants, there are some (similar) basic tips for pruning and caring for your vines to keep them healthy and growing at their best. Keeping vines pruned will ensure they look neat and tidy, while minimizing the risk of disease or pest infestations.
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1. Know the best time
Different plants will benefit from different pruning schedules. Some plants prefer to be pruned after they are done blooming in spring; some plants like grapevines need to be pruned when the vines aren't actively growing. If you are unsure about when the best time is to prune, check with your local nursery or garden center for their recommendations.
Different plants will benefit from different pruning schedules. Some plants prefer to be pruned after they are done blooming in spring; some plants like grapevines need to be pruned when the vines aren't actively growing. If you are unsure about when the best time is to prune, check with your local nursery or garden center for their recommendations.
2. Cut back to healthy wood
If you are pruning to remove dead or diseased vines, make sure to cut back until you can see healthy tissue. This usually means you will see green in the center of the vine, where the cambium tissue is.
If you are pruning to remove dead or diseased vines, make sure to cut back until you can see healthy tissue. This usually means you will see green in the center of the vine, where the cambium tissue is.
3. Remove to a lateral bud or shoot
When pruning healthy vine tissue, make your cuts about 1/4" above a lateral bud or shoot. This will encourage that bud to "break" its dormancy and begin growing.
4. Cut at an angle
To ensure water drains off well, and doesn't sit and collect at the bud, make sure pruning cuts are done at a 45 degree angle, away from the bud. This will allow water to drain freely. The Arbor Day Foundation has a great visual to show the proper pruning angle.
5. Clean, sharp cuts
One of the most important things you can do when pruning your vines is to make sure the shears -- or other pruning implements -- you are using are clean and sharp. This will prevent the transfer of disease from one plant to another and ensure cuts are clean to discourage the invitation of insects and new diseases. The University of Florida Gardening Solutions explains different ways to clean and sterilize garden shears.
6. Go slowly
Vines can easily become entangled with one another. When pruning, do not harshly yank the vines you want to remove, but instead slowly prune one stem section at a time. This will keep unintended vines from snapping or becoming damaged.
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7. Know your vines
To get the best shape out of your vine, you need to know what is most suited for the type you are growing. Woody vines tend to flower better on horizontal shoots than vertical so they look best when more shoots are trained to grow outwards versus upwards. Twining vines tend to lose lower foliage and may need severe pruning to encourage growth towards the ground.
To get the best shape out of your vine, you need to know what is most suited for the type you are growing. Woody vines tend to flower better on horizontal shoots than vertical so they look best when more shoots are trained to grow outwards versus upwards. Twining vines tend to lose lower foliage and may need severe pruning to encourage growth towards the ground.