Wisteria: Expert shows how to prune plant in summer months
1. Continue to water regularly
Watering is key to growing plants well, and is essential for all throughout the summer months, especially those in containers.
The experts at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) said: “Water in the mornings, if you can, as this is when the sun comes up and plants will start to use water.
“The foliage and soil surface is also likely to stay drier for longer than evening watering, discouraging slugs, snails and mildew diseases.
“Plants start to transpire in sunlight, drawing water from the soil, through their roots, up their stems and out through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata.
“Evening watering is also fine, as the cooler conditions means less water is lost to expiration.”
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Watering in the heat of the day should be avoided because a lot of the water will be lost through evaporation.
There is no rule for how often to water plants but this will also depend on how big the plant is, where it is grown and its needs.
2. Prune wisteria
The experts also recommended pruning wisteria this month which needs regular trimming to keep the growth and size under control. According to the pros, this will also help to improve the flowering display.
They said: “Wisterias can be left to ramble unchecked where space allows but will usually flower more freely and regularly if pruned twice a year.
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“The removal of growth in summer allows better air circulation and more sunlight to reach the base of the young growths, encouraging better ripening of the wood and improving the chances of flower bud formation.”
To prune in August, cut back the “whippy” green shoots of the current year’s growth to five or six leaves which will help to control the size.
3. Deadhead flowers
Deadheading plants is the term used for removing the spent flowers from plants, and it is an essential job to keep plants blooming.
The RHS noted: “It is done to keep plants looking attractive and encourage more blooms, whether in beds and borders, containers or hanging baskets.”
The simplest method to deadhead flowers is by pinching or snapping off the faded blooms with your finger and thumb. Make sure to aim to remove the flower with its stalk to keep the plant looking tidy.
4. Harvest vegetables as they become ready
Lots of fruit and vegetables will be ready to harvest during the month of August so make sure to pick them when they are ready.
Fruits ready to pick in August including cherries, raspberries, blueberries and strawberries, although this will depend on when they were sown.
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