Cut back after flowering
The most important pruning is done right after flowering. The branches are cut back slightly:
- promotes the emergence of new flowers
- promotes compact growth and good branching
- cut little into old wood
- Side effect: re-blooming in late summer
- cut below the withered inflorescences
- remove all dead shoots
also read
- Should the bergenia be cut and if so, why?
- Where and how should the cylinder cleaner be overwintered?
- Why should you cut the daisy and how?
Don't make this cut until spring! Then you would remove the flower buds and the cylinder cleaner won't flower in the same year.
Thinning out regularly is worthwhile
A regular clearing cut is also recommended. Ideally, treat your cylinder cleaner to such a cut every year. Before wintering in autumn, a suitable time has come to get the plant into shape.
Cut to get cuttings
A cut can also be useful for propagating Callistemon. Green or semi-woody shoots are needed to obtain cuttings. In the spring cut the cuttings.
That's how it's done:
- Cut off 10 cm long, flowerless shoots
- remove lower leaves
- put in potting soil in a pot with a minimum diameter of 7 cm
- Place in a light, 18 to 20 ° C warm place to root
- keep soil moistured
- Rooting time: 4 to 6 weeks
A strong pruning is tolerated in old age
Sometimes a stronger cut back may be appropriate. If Callistemon is showing signs of aging (e.g. lots of dry leaves) or has grown too big, a 'radical hairstyle' helps. The best time is in spring. But make sure that you do not burden younger specimens with this exhausting cut. Older plants usually tolerate this procedure well.
Tips
Since this plant is evergreen, pruning can be a bit complicated (the foliage makes it difficult to see how the shoots are growing). You should therefore proceed carefully and with care!
