I prune excessive extension growth in spring and summer. So this is above the fruit. Just removing excess growth but retaining enough leaves to sweeten the crop. Then after harvest I shape the tree up as needed, usually not a lot. I do very little pruning in winter. The exception is renewal pruning. Then I may need to head back in winter to force new growth down low. My biggest issue is wanting fruit on a new tree ASAP at the expense of forming a proper tree. Renewal pruning starts early by forcing a bushy tree in the early years and doing adequate pruning each year after to keep good wood down low on the tree. So my usual methods may leave a lot to be desired.

Brighty, Hit up Hidden Valley Hibiscus in your search engine. They have excellent information about tropical hibiscus care, pruning and pinching. There are also some post on root and plant pruning that I added here in past threads. Hope this helps, Ed This post was edited by Gutzmek on Wed, May 21, 14 at 22:33

If they are very old cutters, you'd do best to simply replace them. Most cutting tools, if not cared for properly, will eventually reach a point where a new edge just won't be possible. Next, if they are not bypass cutters - one blade passes the other during the cut - throw them in the trash and get the proper tool. Any trimmer that crushes - anvil-type trimmers - is the wrong tool for the garden. You'll need a flat file. Never use a round one! Cora, that includes the Dremel. Sharpen the cutting edge first - long strokes, one direction. Then the opposite edge to remove any burrs. Don't wait until the tool needs sharpening, do this at least once a month, and oil the trimmers with vegetable oil not 3-in-one or WD40.

Artemis, same here! I must start sorting and discarding--we have the great luxury of over a year's lead time till we retire and transition to living in what is now our vacation house. I must begin working on the mammoth project of clearing out our home of 30 years. We're not hoarders but we have a full house of stuff, as everyone does and it cannot all go down there! I know the hardest things to part with will be the furniture and decor items that just don't belong in the new place; I've lightened up my 'tropical traditional' style considerably in our new house and I love the fresh look I have going down there. But oh it will be wrenching to give up things I've used and loved so long. I"m planning to start with the easy stuff-things that are not sentimental or in use. Friday is commencement day at my university which for those who work in higher ed is the official start of summer :). I'm going to try to discipline myself to either set a timer or make some job slips (clear a shelf/empty a drawer/sort a closet bar) and draw the winning task each evening since I won't be coming home exhausted and fit only to eat dinner and gaze vacantly at HGTV for an hour or so before heading off to bed.