While field horsetail is not very popular in the garden, giant horsetail, also known as winter horsetail, looks very decorative, especially on a pond. Care includes annual cutting of this type of horsetail.
How to cut giant horsetail correctly?
Cut giant horsetail in spring: Bundle several stems together, cut the bottom of the stems at the node with a sharp knife and sharpen the knife regularly. Horsetail contains silica, which quickly dulls the knife.
Cutting giant horsetail in spring
Giant horsetail is an evergreen plant that provides color to the garden pond, especially in winter. The shoots are not cut in autumn. Wait until spring to prune.
Cut horsetail by:
- bundle several stems
- cut off the bottom of the stems with a sharp knife
- preferably cut directly at the knot
- Sharpen knives more often
Horsetail contains a lot of silica. The small crystals dull knives quickly, requiring you to sharpen the sheath. That's why you shouldn't use pruning shears (€14.00 on Amazon) to cut.
Limiting growth by blocking roots
Just like its little brother field horsetail, giant horsetail tends to spread uncontrollably. You should never plant the perennials in the garden without a rhizome barrier.
The root barrier should be placed at least 60 centimeters deep into the ground. However, it cannot completely stop the spread because the rhizomes run very deep into the soil.
If the plant spreads too much, cut off all outer new shoots down to the ground.
Care for giant horsetail in the bucket
Giant horsetail is less work when you plant it in containers. Zinc tubs with a depth of at least 80 centimeters are well suited. Here the horsetail cannot reproduce via rhizomes.
Cut horsetail in pots back in spring too.
Thinning out horsetail
In favorable locations, horsetail grows very densely. To ensure that the new shoots have enough space, you should thin out the plant occasionally.
To do this, cut the stems above the ground. To prevent the stem from fraying, it is best to make the cut directly above a knot.
Cutting horsetail for bouquets
Horsetail is becoming increasingly popular in floristry because the stems are very decorative in arrangements and bouquets.
Tip
To remove field horsetail from the garden, cutting all new shoots helps. You should especially cut the spore ears as soon as they grow in spring. This will at least keep field horsetail under control.
