Rhododendron Pruning

[bob]

A customer wants his Rhododendron cut back. There are "buds" on the plant right now. If I cut it back, will it still flower in the spring?

[steveair]

hello,

try to 'thin' out the plant first, instead of just shearing the outside of it. What I mean, is go to the bottom of the plant or to the very end of the branches where they split, and cut off there, therfore still leaving a large number of buds left on the outside. If plant is greatly overgrown, then maybe replacement is the only way to go.

steveair

[landscaper3]

WAIT-WAIT for the buds to pass and then do selective cutting starting with the bottom.

[powerreel]

One doesn't shear Rhodies! Buds set after bloom and overwinter, so if you shear or cut them off you will lose those buds and will have to wait 1 season for the next buds. http://jollydwarf.com/beetleframe.htm this link might help!

[gusbuster]

powerreel
Right on the money, but what do you do if the plants can't tell the difference between spring and winter. Im my area(San Francisco) the weather has been like spring until just wednesday.
John

[powerreel]

Plants always know the realitive position of earth to sun by the rotation of the earth's axis, summer days are longer winter are longer. Hand pruning is an art and I suggest to start inside the plant and work out and also buy Felco pruners. You either have the gift to prune or you don't! Hydrangas also need west coast pruning PRIOR to our "frost"

[Scape Sculptor]

Never use shears on Rhodys...I see shears used on a lot of shrubs they never should have been. I highly recommend that if anyone does not know how to prune properly, That they take a short coure in it or at the very least buy a book and read up on the subject. I have to agree with Powerreel...Hand pruning is an art...and a gift. I have seen to many butchered trees and shrubs out there by people thet don't know what they are doing.

I don't want to sound like I was slamming anyone, here. This is just one of those subjects that really get to me because of all the damage I see in the field. I apologize ahead of time if this offended anyone...

[GroundKprs]

Hedge trimmers are for HEDGES. To many, shrub maintenance means shearing with hedge trimmers. This is from ignorance, historically. Proper ornamental maintenance is done mainly by pruning, using hand pruners, loppers, handsaws, small chainsaws, etc. Hedge trimming, or shearing, properly only belongs on a hedge, in a formal garden, or in maintaining topiary.

If the rhodedendron in question is in drastic need of pruning, it can be done any time, but fall or winter pruning will reduce the number of flowers next spring. Have to balance the need with the consequences.

Mr powerreel's suggestion that the plants can determine day length is valid, but this is not used by most plants in determining flowering. Temperature sequences are more important to the plant. I have a Mohican viburnum that has flowered three times this year, last time 10 days ago because of unusual temperature fluctuations. Also this year saw henbit (a winter annual) germinating in August and then flowering in late Sept when temp increased.

[Edited by GroundKprs on 11-10-2000 at 06:36 PM]

[Ground Rules]

I have used http://www.rhododendron.org in the past to gleen additional information on proper planting, fertilization and pruning. The rhodo is evident in probably every customer I have. Just another source for what it's worth.

[GroundKprs]

Try this page http://gardening.about.com/homegarden/gardening/cs/msub81/index.htm for starters. This is good for a general intro to someone interested. The key to successful pruning is understanding apical dominance, and the growth characteristics of each plant.

If you're just going to shear everything, why not buy plastic boxes, balls and pyramids, and paint them green? Would sure save a lot of work.

[steveair]

On rhododendrons,

It is my theory that 95% of rhododendrons have/are planted in the wrong location, therefore, I always try to convince people that they should think of a replacement rather than wasting time pruning a shrub that should of never been planted there in the first time and that now is overgrown.

I think it is the typical 50's and 60's style of landscaping that has caused this. You know, lets plant 6 rhodis and a yew hedge in front of everyhouse, then shear the hell out of it for the next 30 years. If you ask me, they might as well have made boxes out of plywood, painted them green, and stuck them in the front of the house.

This, however is what seems to still be in the front of millions of homes and the idea is hammered into peoples heads that this is 'beutiful' landscaping. Also, the fact is, it still seems typical for every 'dam' builder in the world who finishes a house to stick 5 rhodis in a row planted in a 2' strip between the house and the 'bluestone' walkway. Then people actually believe this is correct because 'why would a buider do something wrong' mentality.

Now, maybe the plant is in a good location, but just my opinion.

steveair

[BRL]

Steve,
You hit that nail dead on. That's my same observation. Its not just the rhodies though, many shrubs in the wrong places and pruned into hedges. My favorite are trees planted 2' - 3' from the house that are now 25' tall and growing into the windows, walls & basements.