After seeing how rapidly such small timber can get uncontrolled, I am decided to not let the identical factor occur to the lonicera I used for the Reddit nursery inventory contest this yr, so a number of days in the past I made a decision it was time to present it a haircut.
 |
| Lonicera – December 2018, earlier than pruning |
That is when the enjoyable started.
Whereas trimming among the prime foliage I immediately turned conscious of a praying mantis hiding within the branches.
I instantly stopped what I used to be doing earlier than he got here to any hurt.
After taking a number of photographs, it was time to get him out of the tree. Surprisingly I had no problem persuading him to climb onto my hand, and was even in a position to get a number of extra photographs.
I then moved him to the security of a tree I wasn’t planning to work on.
Lastly it was time to get again to my lonicera. After somewhat extra work it appears like this:
 |
| Lonicera – December 2018, after pruning |
That lengthy dangling department is a brand new one about two thirds of the best way up the trunk which can fill a spot properly. It must thicken up a bit earlier than I prune it. I do not assume that may take too lengthy although, so I must hold an in depth watch on it.
I am not pleased with the bottom department on the left but. Hopefully I will get some again budding in order that I can direct it within the course I need it to develop. And I am nonetheless contemplating shortening the tree somewhat extra.
Now that the competition is over, nevertheless, I needn’t hold it wanting tidy, so I can take my time making my selections.
