White Orchid Tree Pruning Methods and Techniques Explained in Detail

The White Orchid Tree (Michelia alba) is an evergreen broadleaf fragrant-flower plant of the genus Michelia in the magnolia family. From April to October each year its flower buds open, filling the air with rich fragrance, but it is tolerant of pruning, and every time a section is cut off, the branch necessarily shrinks back by one section downward. So, how do you prune a White Orchid Tree?

1. Branch bending. This can be done all year round, mainly on side branches or the small branches on side branches. By bending the branches to open up the branch angle (70 to 90 degrees) and change the branch direction, it stimulates the growth of new branches and the formation of flower buds.

2. Branch snapping. During its vigorous growth period, for relatively upright side branches, starting from the base of the branch, bend it by hand toward a position with more open space until slight cracks appear on the back of the branch, then repeat once after a week.

3. Breaking the growing tip. During the vigorous growth period, pierce or cut the young tender growing tip of a vigorously growing branch with a needle or blade, or pinch it by hand, or simply pull out the growing tip.

4. Branch pruning. If pruning is truly necessary, it should be done in the vigorous summer growth period, choosing a spot 3 cm to 5 cm beyond where new shoots have emerged, and after pruning, immediately seal the wound with a mud ball mixed with (Dicosan and similar) agents and a growth hormone (naphthalene acetic acid), and wrap it tightly on the outside with a small plastic film.

5. Chemical control method. During the peak growth period, spray the whole plant with 1500 ppm paclobutrazol.

Depending on the situation, the above methods can be used alone or in combination, for example bending branches after breaking the growing tip; bending branches after treatment with paclobutrazol; or using branch bending, branch pruning and branch snapping together, and so on.

Practice has shown that, combined with routine care, using the above methods for branch training and shaping can produce a White Orchid Tree with a full, well-rounded form.