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Step over winter prune
Wes-
Posts: 1
in Fruit & veg
Im not sure if I should be pruning the long side growth, I think I summer pruned a little early and ended up with longer (taller) shoots than I expected. Everything seems to read just prune the main branches in winter but should I be bringing these down too, feels like I should be bringing them all back with them being so long? Not sure what to do!?
0
Posts
Have a look at these links, Wes:
http://www.plantsmanscorner.co.uk/journal-articles/961-how-to-train-a-stepover-three-steps-forward-one-step-back.html
http://realenglishfruit.co.uk/tree-training/
(near the bottom.)
One, how are you going to step over that when it's up against the fence?! Two, I think yours is on a slightly more vigorous rootstock than it should be (probably M9, rather than m27). Anyway, to answer your question, a stepover tree is like a one tiered espalier, the pruning the same. It should have had a summer prune, to stop those mighty growths before they got going. However, they can be removed, now, and the tree shaped to where it should be, at 'step-over' height. Your aim is to have one long lateral off which short fruiting spurs arise (as you know), so you'll have to be patient, I'm afraid and almost, but not quite, go back to the shaping bit. I will say that it looks healthy!
H-C
Alternatively, use those two beautiful upright growths as an improvised next tier and go for an improper but just as effective espalier style. Bend them outwards carefully (to form the next tier) about 15 inches above the first level. It won't be RHS perfect, you won't have the correct style, but the tree won't mind AND you won't have wasted two good lengths of healthy growth.
H-C
Got to be a giant, I reckon, if that's a step over! Easier to limbo under that one.
H-C
Thanks all, there's two of them like this an they are actually on M26 if I remember correctly. Strangely enough I did prune back to two buds in July but those new shoots, well, they shot up after that. Thanks for the links, I think I should have maybe been keeping them in check all summer reading that second article. I thought good job done in July! Seems to be favouring those laterals so will probably get rid and keep a closer eye in the growing season. Didn't intend to have more than one tier where they are.