Should you prune bushes while they are flowering? When is the best time to prune in SW Florida?

Question

Should you prune bushes while they are flowering? When is the best time to prune in SW Florida?

Answer 1

It is best after the first frost or freeze which ever comes first.

Answer 2

Depends on the tree or bush. Most need to be prunes right before they flower but after winter.

Answer 3

Depends on the plants you want to prune, and the growing season where you are at. South Florida, probably most of the year.

Most spring blooming plants should be pruned after they bloom.

Most decidious plants can be pruned when dormant, unless spring bloomers. Then usually after bloom.

Most evergreens should be done when activelly growing.

In just about all cases you want to stop pruning at least a month and a half before the growing season ends.

Summer blooming plants that bloom on new growth can be pruned early or while growing if needed. It will generally stop the bloom cycle while it produces new growth tips on which it can again then set buds.

TopCatt

Answer 4

It really depends on the type plant. If it only blooms once or twice a year, enjoy the blooms then prune. If is something like knockout roses you can prune anytime during growing season.Even tho you dont have to worry about to many hard freezes there be careful not to prune plants that will be producing new growth during your coldest months.Usually the last pruning of the year is done in the fall, then first pruning of the year is done in the spring after the danger of frost has passed.There a excemptions to this in as much as they need to be pruned during certain months in order to produce flowers the next year.

Answer 5

I once read that pruning a plant during the gorwing season is tantamount to doing surgery on a person  without anesthetic.  The plant is a living thing and pruning is a shock to the plant.  Wait until the plant is dormant either after the first freeze in the fall or before the gowing season begins in the spring.

A light pruning to keep a plant shaped is fine anytime of the season but hard pruning should be done in dormancy.

Answer 6

I live in the Tampa Bay Area, I prune immediatley after the last freeze, it seems to work for me.