| Understanding the terms staking, pruning, grafting. | | | | not go out and prune a plant without first doing a |
| Staking - Quite simply some plants require a little | | | | little bit of research into the best times for that |
| help as they grow because they become | | | | particular plant. Some enjoy mid flower pruning, |
| top-heavy, that is the top of the plant is heavier | | | | others require after flower pruning. There are |
| than the base or root system can support. In | | | | many other things to take into account when |
| such cases it is helpful to stake them. This means | | | | pruning, which I will most likely discuss at some |
| to stick a piece of wood, or metal, or anything | | | | other point in time. |
| else that is strong next to the growing plant and | | | | Grafting - The process of grafting is not really |
| as it grows, tie the new 'top' loosely(and this is | | | | one for a gardening new comer, but it can be |
| the key) to the stake. This way the stake is | | | | handy to understand the term when shopping for |
| providing support but the tie is not restricting the | | | | varieties because a 'hybrid species' variety is |
| plants growth, both upwards but also in terms of | | | | normally the result of two species either being |
| the thickness of the growing stems or branches. | | | | grafted together, or being bred from a grafted |
| If, after you have staked a plant, the ties look to | | | | species. Grafting is basically taking the stem or |
| be causing a problem, simply loosen then or move | | | | bud of one variety and joining it together with the |
| them to a different area of the growing stem or | | | | stem or stem base of another variety of the |
| branch. | | | | same plant. Some grafts work better than others |
| Pruning - This is basically the removal of part of | | | | and some plants are more open to grafting, |
| the plant to either restrict its size, shape the plant | | | | hence why the actual process of grafting is best |
| or promote flowers or fruit to grow. It may | | | | left for intermediate or experienced gardeners. |
| seem strange but for many plants, the loss of | | | | The resultant, grafted plant will have a blend of |
| some of the plant, via cutting, encourages it to | | | | characteristics of the two parent varieties and the |
| grow or fruit more vigorously. This is especially | | | | process can lead to more hardy plant varieties or |
| the case when the pruning involves the removal | | | | produce more beautiful flowers. |
| of dead or dying limbs. IMPORTANT NOTE: Do | | | | |