Girdling is an effective technique to control the growth of flowers and trees, encouraging better flowering and fruiting. During the process, it's important to select strong shoots or branches near their base. The depth of the girdle should be based on the thickness of the twig, ensuring that the phloem is cut without damaging the xylem. Typically, this depth ranges from 0.2 to 1 cm.
The timing of girdling is crucial. It should be done before flower bud differentiation begins. However, different plants have different flowering habits, so the exact time depends on the species. For most early spring and spring-to-summer bloomers, flower buds form in the summer and autumn of the previous year, making June to August the ideal girdling window. For summer and autumn bloomers, which rely on new growth, girdling should occur after the new shoots stop growing. For plants that flower continuously throughout the year, girdling is done after each blooming cycle.
Fruit trees benefit from girdling about 15 to 20 days after flowering, before fruits begin to drop. Examples include kumquat, bergamot, ginkgo, pomegranate, papaya, and others. Girdling on vigorous branches during sunny days can reduce flower and fruit loss while increasing fruit set.
This method is particularly useful for plants that are difficult to propagate through cuttings, such as sweet osmanthus, Chinese rose, woody hydrangea, and Pittosporum. To improve cutting success, choose robust, disease-free one-year-old branches that are fully lignified. Strip a 0.5–1 cm wide strip of bark at the base, leave it for about 15 days, then cut it for propagation. This method promotes faster and stronger rooting than direct pruning.
For high-pressure propagation, girdling is used on plants like peonies, mimosa, rubber trees, camellias, azaleas, and champa. Select 1–2 year old shoots, girdle them during active growth, scrape off the outer bark, and wrap the area with plastic film filled with moist sand or moss. Keep the internal moisture consistent. Once roots develop, the plant can be separated and replanted.
When performing girdling, timing is key. If done too early, the wound may heal before flower buds start to form, reducing effectiveness. If too late, the flower bud differentiation period may have passed, resulting in minimal impact.
The width of the girdle should generally be about 1/10 of the branch diameter. However, for propagation purposes, a wider girdle (1–2 times the branch diameter) is often more effective. A narrow girdle may heal too quickly, preventing proper root development.
The depth of the girdle should not damage the xylem. Scrape just enough to remove the outer layer of bark, preventing the wound from healing prematurely and interfering with root formation.
Each plant should be girdled carefully according to its growth potential. Do not exceed 1/2 to 2/3 of the total branches, leaving some un-girdled to ensure the root system still receives enough nutrients from photosynthesis. Over-girdling can weaken the tree and accelerate aging.
After girdling, proper care is essential. Provide adequate water and nutrients, and manage pests and diseases effectively. Monitor the girdled area regularly—check for healing every 20–30 days. Remove any covering promptly to avoid hindering normal growth. Avoid applying unnecessary substances to the wound, as this can interfere with healing. Some people apply fungicides like formaldehyde arsenic to prevent infection, but this can lead to branch death or even tree death. Always allow the wound to heal naturally.
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