I Should Have Node

This winter twig should demonstrate what is meant by nodes and internodes, at least as far as plants are concerned.

Axillary buds (those between the stem and leaf base) become dormant after leaf fall (as demonstrated here). So technically I should have labelled it 'dormant bud'. These are the buds we cut back to when pruning, the problem in older wood being they can be almost impossible to detect. Many's the time I have cut back an old woody stem only to discover buds developing in the most unexpected places.

As far as we growers are concerned, the internodes are important, since long ones develop into straggly plants. Light and temperature are key factors in this.