The callistemon, better known as the pipe cleaner plant, is one of the most decorative shrubs that exist for gardens due to its peculiarities. However, one of the important care that must be followed strictly is that of pruning. Could you tell us how to prune the tube cleaner plant?
If you have no idea, but you like this bush, here we give you the solution to this need so that you can enjoy this plant for a long time.
What is the pipe cleaning plant
Before talking about pruning, it is important that you identify what type of plant we are referring to. We talk about callistemon, although its common name, pipe cleaner, is by which it is best known.
It is a evergreen shrub that can easily reach four meters. With very leafy and green leaves, the most striking are the shoots it has, since, unlike other plants, these are born red and as they become adults they turn green. That is why they attract so much attention, especially in spring, when there will be more shoots on the bush.
In addition to those first leaves, it also blooms, and although at first they look like small cones and in a red-brown hue, the truth is that when they open, they will have a lot of red stamens. It is very striking and after that flower you will have the fruit, which looks like woody capsules. In addition, it blooms twice, once in spring and the next in summer.
What basic care should be provided to the callistemon
If you have been interested in this plant, or you have it in your home, surely you give it the care that the plant needs. But just in case, we will review them below.
- Lighting: Mucha loves sun and light and should be grown outdoors to meet this need.
- Temperature: It loves the heat, but not the cold or strong frosts. Therefore, if you live in such an area, you will have to protect it by locating it in a sunny place that is not affected by the cold (perhaps with plastic or similar).
- Ground: It prefers acid substrates, but it adapts to any type of soil, even if it is poor. You can also put it in a pot.
- Irrigation: He doesn’t like it too much. Rather, it prefers a drought to excessive watering because it will affect the flowers and leaves, to the point of losing its showiness.
- Pruning: You need one that is balanced and annual.
- Plagues and diseases: Basically the red spider and the cottony mealybug.
When to Prune Pipe Cleaner
As we have told you before, the pipe cleaning plant blooms twice a year, one in spring and the next in summer. They are two blooms very close together and, although it is said that the pruning has to be once and annually, what many experts do is prune slightly after each one of the blooms.
That is, if you ask us when you should prune, we would answer, early summer and late summer or early fall.
Now, the pruning that is done at the beginning of summer must be very soft and light, just to prune the flowers that are withered to help the plant to regrow again and bloom more strongly.
It is the second pruning, that of autumn, the one that should be cut a little more.
How to prune the pipe cleaner plant
Next, we are going to talk to you in more detail about how to prune the pipe cleaner plant. It is a very easy task to do since a drastic pruning is not necessary, but rather light, enough to allow the bush to flower again and to bud and branch.
Have the necessary tools at hand
In general, you will only need a few scissors to cut wilted branches or flowersbut sometimes these are in cup areas or too high, so we recommend you have some scissors with telescopic handle to reach that area.
You should also have gloves put on because you will be able to hold on to the branches better or that they will not damage your skin.
Finally, we would like to recommend that you have cut sealants. The reason is that, as we have said before, pruning is done in autumn, and although at that time there is still not much rain or cold, it is better to have it at hand. Especially if the cuts you make are more or less thick branches, since the wound would be exposed and you could get sick through it.
Check the bush before cutting
Before carrying out the pruning it is advisable to take a look at the bush to see if there are presence of pests, weak, diseased or dead branches, etc.
This way you will be getting an idea of what you should cut and what not. It will also give you a better idea of how to prune it by keeping it in shape, or changing it based on what it needs.
time to prune
Now yes, it is time to prune. Start at branches that you see weak, that are growing poorly, that are sick or dead. Once you’ve done that, focus on the ones with faded flowers. It is important that we cut them to encourage flowering next spring (or in summer if you prune it on that date as well).
Finally, you can cut the branches that you see protruding from the formation that you want your bush to have or those that get in the way of each other. In this way you will oxygenate the bush from the inside and you will also get it to look the way you want.
It is important that, come spring, look at the plant to see if any of the branches look deadin order to cut it. When pruning in autumn, the cold can reduce the plant and damage some branches, so if you cut them later you can try to save that part of the callistemon.
Finally, tell you that throughout the year you can also trim the branches that protrude or grow too much. Being a minimal pruning, it tolerates it quite well and you will even help it not to spend too much energy.
Now that you know how to prune the pipe cleaner plant, you know what you have to do the next time you have to cut it.
