It doesn't make a big difference whether the cylinder cleaner grows in a pot or in the open field - it definitely needs a cut. Regular cutting prevents baldness, maintains compact growth, stimulates branching of the shoots and ensures flowering every year.
When and how should you cut the cylinder cleaner?
The callistemon should be cut back immediately after flowering to promote the emergence of new flowers, compact growth and good branching. In addition, an annual thinning cut can be carried out in autumn and a more severe pruning of older plants in spring.
Prune after flowering
The most important cut is done immediately after flowering. The branches are cut back slightly:
- promotes the emergence of new flowers
- enforces compact growth and good branching
- cut little into the old wood
- Side effect: re-blooming in late summer
- cut below the wilted inflorescences
- remove all dead shoots
Don't do this cut until spring! Then you would remove the flower buds and the callistemon will not bloom that same year.
It's worth it to thin out regularly
A regular thinning cut is also recommended. Ideally, you should give your cylinder cleaner a cut like this every year. Before overwintering in autumn, it's a good time to get the plant into shape.
Cutting to obtain cuttings
Pruning can also be useful for propagating Callistemon. To obtain cuttings, you need green or semi-lignified shoots. Cut the cuttings in spring.
How to do it:
- Cut off 10 cm long, flowerless shoots
- remove lower leaves
- Put into potting soil in a pot with a minimum diameter of 7 cm
- For rooting, place in a bright, 18 to 20 °C warm place
- Keep soil moist
- Rooting duration: 4 to 6 weeks
Severe pruning is tolerated in old age
Sometimes a more severe pruning may be appropriate. If Callistemon is increasingly showing signs of aging (e.g. many dry leaves) or has become too large, a 'radical hairstyle' will help. The best time is in spring. But be careful not to burden younger specimens with this strenuous cut. Older plants usually tolerate this procedure well.
Tip
As this plant is evergreen, cutting can be a bit complicated (the foliage makes it difficult to see the growth of the shoots). Therefore, it is better to proceed carefully and with caution!
