Pruning the flowering almond bonsai during its dormant period like this will fill the branches with blooms in spring

How should a potted flowering almond be pruned and shaped during the dormant period?

Generally, after a potted woody plant has grown for a year, its branches are very lush. So before dormancy we can prune it, because plant dormancy is a process of accumulating nutrients. In winter, the process of its roots absorbing nutrients from the potting soil is very slow. Because the temperature drops, it cannot grow. Pruning is meant to reduce consumption and accumulate enough nutrients to safely get through winter, so that when spring comes the following year, there are enough nutrients to sprout branches and buds. So pruning it before dormancy is best. It also suits most woody plants, including bonsai.

So how should you prune before the dormant period? At this time, pruning is mainly based on the overall shape you are creating for your bonsai. Shorten the branches to control the shape, and prune the overly dense and leggy growth. If you are not growing a bonsai, the pruning principle is to cut out the overly dense branches. Properly shorten the aged branches of the current year. The side branches growing from the base should all be removed. If it is a flowering plant, when spring arrives it will produce many flowers, because the flowering almond bonsai blooms from aged branches; tender branches do not bloom and are also prone to dieback, so they must be shortened. If it is your bonsai, its form will also stay as it is, and it will look very nice when the time comes.

In fact, pruning before the dormant period is very simple. It mainly depends on how you maintain the shape. Once pruned properly, it will grow fast the following spring. It will not happen that, because during the dormant period you cannot water and fertilize more, too many branches cause excessive nutrient consumption and lead to the branches withering or even dying the following year.

Xiao Qi loves growing flowers. Detailed step-by-step instructions will be made into videos later, to show everyone and teach everyone how to prune and shape. Xiao Qi will also share the care of most flowers. If you like growing flowers, follow Xiao Qi. Questions about growing flowers are welcome. By the way, leave an emoji for Xiao Qi in the comment section below and share it. Your shares and comments are the greatest support for Xiao Qi.