Not all plants require pruning. For climbers such as gourds, clipping is done to the shoots on the sides of the plant. This is done to encourage upward growth. To read more about growing gourds, please refer to our Crop Encyclopedia.

Pruning/Encouraging flowers and/or shoots (foliage) may affect the growth of the plant and the harvest it provides. When harvesting the leaves of the crop, it is recommended to prevent flowering by pruning the buds before they bloom. This ensures the presence of flavourful leaves for harvest. Flowering can decrease the flavour in leaves as the plant spends its resources towards the blooming and development of the flower/fruits.

When harvesting roots, pruning the shoots of the plant in the right way ensures proper supply of nutrients to the root of the plant so that energy is not wasted in the development of luscious foliage.

When harvesting fruits, foliage pruning to encourage flowering and fruiting may be beneficial.