Prune Capers: [Importance, Time, Considerations and Steps]

The pruning of capers is a very useful act to improve the vitality of the plant and, therefore, to ensure a production of better characteristics.

As it is a small bush, which barely reaches 40 centimeters, it is an easy task to execute.

It must be considered, however, that it is a delicate species around its structure, so each movement must be very well thought out. Do you have a caper at home and you need to know how to apply a pruning well? Here we will give you the details so you can write them down.

Why prune capers?

On the other hand, pruning at the right time motivates a greater formation of buds that will lead to the plant being rejuvenated and in optimal productive conditions.

When is it better to prune capers?

Caper pruning takes place in two periods: throughout the spring and at the end of the fall . In the spring a very simple pruning is carried out that only seeks to remove the weakest branches.

Pruning in late autumn will be intense because the goal of productivity is mixed with that of rejuvenating the entire shrub.

What tools should we use to prune capers?

The caper bush is quite easy to prune because its branches are not very thick, so gardening shears will be more than enough . L scissors as must be previously disinfected with alcohol or with a dishwashing soap to prevent diseases are generated in the cuts.

If available, the use of gardening gloves will also help protect your hands from any damage, such as a cut or insect bites.

What should we take into account when pruning capers?

The correct visualization of the caper will be the first step to plan in the best way the pruning . In this preview, you will have to imagine what shape you want to obtain and which parts you consider to be in poor condition to remove them first.

Check that the plant is healthy and that there are no pests that can affect your work. If they exist, first plan to attack them.

How to prune capers without damaging the plant?

The pruning of the caper bush is done in two phases: one in green and another when it comes to rest, which is known as annual pruning.

Pruning in green

It is the pruning that is carried out when the plant is in open vegetative production, so it is usually a soft pruning , where the strictly necessary is removed.

In this pruning you have to assess all the stems of the plant and define which are the weakest to remove them.

Typically these weak stems have little chance of adding value to production and, on the contrary, they do consume nutrients. You also have to assess the orientation of the stems and whether it is convenient for you or not. 

Being such a small bush it can be really annoying to have messy branches lying around, plus they run the risk of being stepped on. A last action that can be applied in this pruning is topping . This action applies to bushes that have not had a good branching.

The idea is to pinch the tips of the existing stems to encourage them to grow and produce new branches that are productive.

Annual pruning

plant ”src =” https://www.sembrar100.com/wp-content/uploads/Que-cuñados-necesitan-las-alcaparras-300damientos225.jpg ”alt =” How to prune capers without damaging the <a class = ”Data-wpil-keyword-link =” linked ”/> plant” width = ”300 ″ height =” 225 ″ /> This is the intense pruning that is carried out to eliminate all the “used” parts of the plant and promote new growth that impacts production.

The period in which this is executed is during late autumn, when the plant already begins its time of vegetative rest.

The idea here is to drastically trim all the branches , bringing them within 1 centimeter of the vine to promote renewed growth. In the case of branches that are very weakened, dry or in poor general condition, the ideal is to remove them flush with the vine.

The caper is a shrub that takes time to produce production after planting, but when it does, it represents a true joy. Taking care of it is the only key that exists to obtain a considerable amount of capers in each cycle and enjoy them in the most varied dishes.

For all plants, pruning is an almost mandatory action and in the case of the caper bush there will be no exception. So take your scissors and follow all the recommendations that we provide here so that you can work safer and faster and, most importantly, without damaging your beautiful bush.