The climbing trumpet or trumpet flower (Campsis) should not be confused with the related angel's trumpet, but it also develops impressive, strongly colored flowers. The climbing trumpet can be used as a ground cover or trained as a climbing plant, for example to add greenery to a wall. But with a little effort and the right amount of patience, being raised as a high-born is also quite possible.
When and how should you cut a climbing trumpet?
In order to cut the climbing trumpet correctly, you should carry out the following steps in early spring, ideally in March: Remove weak and thin shoots, shorten long shoots to three to four eyes, also cut back side shoots to a maximum of four eyes and if necessary radically trim the plant down to the cane.
The right time to prune
Since the climbing trumpet only blooms on young shoots this year, it should be cut back heavily in early spring. Even a radical cut down to the cane does not harm the plant, on the contrary: it only sprouts more vigorously. A March that is not too cold is best suited for such a caring pruning, although potted trumpet flowers can also be repotted at this time.
Cutting back trumpet flowers – this is how it works
The following cut variant has proven successful for the climbing trumpet:
- Completely remove all thin and weak shoots.
- Short very long shoots down to a maximum of three to four eyes.
- This measure promotes branching and thus flowering.
- All branches extending from the main shoot are also cut back to a maximum of four eyes.
- If you radically cut the plant back to the cane, the flowers will not bloom this year.
You should also remove the fruits before they ripen, because the trumpet flower sprouts very quickly and then spreads uncontrollably.
Cutting cuttings of the climbing trumpet
For a controlled and true-to-variety propagation of the climbing trumpet, you can consider propagating cuttings. This is best done in July, i.e. shortly before the flowering period.
- Cut off this year's shoot tips that are a maximum of 10 centimeters long.
- Remove the bottom leaves.
- Fill a planter with sand.
- Plant the cuttings there.
- Put a transparent plastic bag (€7.00 on Amazon) or a plastic bottle (cut off the bottom first) over it.
- Place the planter in a bright place.
- Keep the substrate evenly moist.
- Air the plant several times a day.
- The cover can be removed as soon as new leaves develop.
However, the planting will not take place until the following spring. Until then, overwinter the cuttings under cold house conditions at a maximum of 12 °C.
Tip
Cut the climbing trumpet in summer only in emergencies, such as in the event of a pest or disease. Otherwise, remove all flower roots.