Have some questions for those who've keep them over before.
The Y will always be at the same height? meaning, the trunk itself will or will not get taller? will the trunk width increase?
Do you trim back any of the branches above the Y?
more on making alley trees
tiG, I checked with some of mine. This is what I got.
If the main trunk is for instance 1 meter tall and the plant put out a root sucker, the root sucker will Y in lower hight, typically in 80 cm. If you want a plant with Y in lower position, then cut the main and leave the root sucker with the lowest Y.
For a taller Brug some of mine was cut just below the first Y. The Brug will then put out one or two main shoots just under the cut and these will Y in a position higher, than the original Y.
Its the same, when you cut a Brug back to the second Y`s The four cut branches will put one or two shoots each and these shoots will behave like on the Brug, that was cut just under the Y. The four to eight new shoots will grow from 20-40 cm high and then Y.
If I get time for it tomorrow I will post pictures to illustrate the examples. I have also one, that put out low Y`ing branches and grew to a low, broad shrub.
The original Y stays the same height and the trunk gets fatter.
Mine Yed very tall because the cuttings were side shoots below the Y or root sprout cuttings that were grown pot to pot till about 6 ft/2meters tall. I didn't do it on purpose, just didn't have time to get them potted up last year.
pot to pot?
That's how the babies were, I'll post a pic of some I have this year. The only time I ran into trouble was when they turned over and I didn't find them soon enough, they were curvy.
Forgot to add, always trim above the original Y so it will bloom early next year.
okay, so when I bring those chosen for my alley in, I cut immediately above the Y? or higher? do not want any stupid mistakes that will keep me waiting til September next year.
I'd leave some above the Y, just in case. Knowing my luck, I'd cut right above the y and something would eat the top!!
tig, i think the stalks might still get a little taller. i didn't cut a side shoot on my shredded white, and i've watching it grow above the ground. it's about 4 inches above the soil line now in the past 2-3 months. not major growth, but i think the y will move up some.
Arlene, then there is hope for my Shredded White and Flore Plena. I'm so tired of sitting on the ground to pollinate these!!
Cala, which one is the flore plena? The double stuffed white or the dropping skirt one?? thanks
The double stuffed white.
tiG, you have to leave at least six knobs at each side of the Y.
Monika . . many thanks for adding that detail. Now we all know exactly how much to cut above the Y. We have learned an enormous amount from you.
monika I almost missed this, it got on the second page! by six knobs, is that what you're calling nodes?? 6 on each branch or 6 total above the Y?
Is that like 6 little y's after the original Y?
Six on each branch, tiG. We call them in german ' sleeping eyes ', nodes would be correct as the space in berween, in german its named internodien.
thank you monika! you are a very patient lady!