How to Prune Ixora? A Detailed Guide to Pruning Methods
Ixora is a flower that blooms brilliantly, with very dense flowers and a long blooming period that offers flowers to enjoy all year round. Its colors are a riot of variety, making it a flower of extremely high ornamental value. I believe flower lovers are very fond of it too! So how should we prune this very densely blooming flower? Next, Shuaishuai will teach everyone how to prune Ixora!
I. Ixora Pruning Methods
Ixora has an attractive plant form and a very long blooming period; at peak bloom it looks like a burning torch. When propagated seedlings grow to 15-20cm tall, the terminal buds should be removed to break apical dominance and encourage branch growth. Every year during early spring when repotting, prune away overly dense thin branches, aged branches and diseased or damaged branches, letting the plant grow new branches. After pinching the plant and shortening the flowering branches, be sure to apply fertilizer in time.
II. Ixora Pruning Tips
1. Because Ixora grows very fast, it is relatively tolerant of pruning. Before spring bud break, first cut away the thin, weak branches and overly dense branches, and at the same time shorten the new branches of the current year, leaving 2-3cm. After bud break, when the new shoots grow to 10cm long, pinch once, leaving only 2-3 buds at the base; soon 2-3 branches will grow. When the branches grow 6-7 leaves, pinch once more to promote branching and flowering and improve ornamental value.
2. The inflorescences of Ixora open at the tips of the branches. After the first flush of flowers opens, cut away the spent flowers; after applying fertilizer, it can bloom again after a period of growth. To improve ornamental value, after removing all old leaves, it is very difficult for new leaves to grow again, so fertilizer should be applied one week in advance to supply the nutrients needed for its growth. After leaf removal, apply fertilizer once more to ensure a sufficient nutrient supply.
3. Branches that flowered and set fruit in the current summer and autumn should all be shortened by about two-thirds, retaining only 3-4 pairs of buds at the base, with the stump length preferably around 8-10 cm. After leaves emerge, spray the leaf surface 2-3 times with a mixture of 0.1% magnesium sulfate, 0.2% urea, 0.3% monopotassium phosphate and 800-fold thiophanate-methyl, about once every half a month. This can make the buds plump and promote sprouting, and also protect the wounds and prevent infection by pathogens.
The above are the pruning methods and some tips for Ixora. Have you clever readers learned them? Only by doing these things can Ixora bloom in rich, brilliant colors. Because Ixora has a very long blooming period, the more new branches it produces, the more flowers it blooms, and the stronger its ornamental appeal!