Mock cypresses are very popular as decorative individual plants, in pots or as bonsai. But they also look good as a hedge. The ornamental trees do not need much care. How to properly care for the false cypress.
How do you properly care for a false cypress?
Caring for false cypresses includes regular watering without waterlogging, supply of nutrients through mulching or fertilizing, occasional topiary and winter protection for young or potted plants. Protect yourself from the poisonous plant sap when caring for it.
How often do false cypress trees need to be watered?
The ball of the false cypress must never dry out completely. However, waterlogging is just as damaging. Older plants only need to be watered when it is very dry.
Water freshly planted false cypresses and false cypresses in pots regularly - even in winter. The plants evaporate moisture through their needles even in the cold season.
When should you fertilize cypress trees?
Mock cypresses need a lot of nutrients. For older plants, it is sufficient to spread a layer of mulch that you renew in spring and autumn.
You should fertilize young cypresses and those growing in pots regularly every four to eight weeks with:
- ripe compost
- Horn shavings
- Bluegrain
- special cypress fertilizer
When and how are false cypresses pruned?
As a solitary plant, only cut mock cypresses if you don't want them to become too tall and sprawling. The cone shape has proven to be particularly favorable here.
You have to cut hedges made of false cypresses at least once, often twice a year. Otherwise, the plants at the bottom will become woody because the shoots there no longer receive enough light.
Remove only the tips of the shoots and do not cut into the old wood, unless the false cypresses have become too tall. Then you can simply cap them at the top.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Fungal diseases mainly occur in false cypress trees that are too dense and too moist. Infected shoots are generously removed.
Leaf miners, bark beetles and bark beetles can become a pest. Cut off all affected shoot tips. The use of insecticides helps with moth infestations. There are currently no effective control options for fungal diseases and beetle infestations.
Do false cypress trees need to be protected from frost?
Older false cypresses are hardy and can tolerate quite low temperatures. To be on the safe side, you should protect freshly planted ornamental trees from the cold with a mulch cover and fleece.
Cypresses in pots generally need winter protection. Wrap the plant in a fleece and place the planter on a polystyrene plate.
Tip
When caring for poisonous cypress trees, you should protect your hands and face with gloves and safety glasses. Even skin contact can cause inflammation.
