Prune in the dormant season --- pruning in late spring could create an entry point for dogwood borers.

August falls within Brasilia's dry season, with just 3 centimeters (1 inch) of rain, and the earth tones that dominate the landscape suggest that non-irrigated vegetation may be dormant.

Nutrients - it's essential to provide nutrients in some form during the growing season and then taper off to none when your plants are dormant.