Pruning time of pepper tree
Zanthoxylum bungeanum can be pruned during the whole dormant period from defoliation to budding, and can also be pruned in summer. Pruning after picking pepper can improve the light transmittance, enhance nutrient accumulation and promote the differentiation of pepper buds. Winter pruning should start after the sap stops flowing, which can reduce nutrient loss.
Pruning method of pepper
1, short-cut pruning
The common pruning method of Zanthoxylum bungeanum is short pruning, which mainly cuts off vigorous branches and aging main branches to make them grow more lateral branches. It is necessary to cut short 2/3 of the main branches and keep only 2 ~ 3 main branches to reduce nutrient consumption and promote the healthy growth of plants.
2, refinement
In order to promote the flowering and fruiting of pepper, thinning is needed. When pruning, we should cut off the base of branches, and cut off dense, overlapping, crossing and weak branches, so as to make them better ventilated and transparent and promote the full fruiting of pepper.
3, the old tree pruning
After the aging of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, the weak branches, drooping branches and dead branches should be cut off at this time, which can reduce nutrient consumption, promote the growth of strong branches and prolong the life of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.
4, multi-branch pruning
When pruning multiple main branches, 4 ~ 5 robust branches should be selected for cultivation, and the rest branches can be pruned. All the lateral branches on the main branch should be pruned in the following year until 4-5 main branches are formed. This pruning is beneficial for plants to fully absorb nutrients and avoid unnecessary nutrient consumption.