The coral bush is a relatively easy-care, unfortunately poisonous nightshade plant. However, the non-hardy shrub is quite susceptible to pest attacks in winter. What you need to consider when caring for a coral bush.
How do you properly care for a coral bush?
To care for a coral bush, it is important to water regularly with lime-free water, fertilize every 14 days during the growth phase and prune in spring. In addition, the shrub should be overwintered frost-free at 8-12°C and attention should be paid to pests.
How to water the coral bush correctly?
In spring and summer, water the coral bush regularly and thoroughly. However, it does not tolerate waterlogging, so you have to pour out excess water after five minutes.
Use lime-free water for watering. Rainwater is best suited.
When is fertilizing on the agenda?
During the growth phase from April to October, fertilize the coral bush at fortnightly intervals. Liquid fertilizers (€9.00 on Amazon) are suitable for flowering plants. If you care for the coral bush in the garden bed, it is enough to provide it with some compost at the beginning of the summer.
Can the coral bush be cut?
To ensure that the coral bush grows compactly, cut it in spring. In doing so, shorten all shoots by approximately two-thirds.
If you value lots of flowers, you should always cut out spent flowers straight away.
When is it time to repot?
The coral bush in the pot is ideally repotted in spring, initially every year, later only every two years.
After repotting, do not fertilize the coral bush for two months.
What diseases and pests can occur?
Illnesses only occur with poor care. Most often it is root and trunk rot or fungal diseases. They are primarily triggered by too much moisture.
Pests occur more frequently, especially in winter, when the coral bush is overwintered too warmly. Pay attention to:
- Spider mites
- Whiteflies
- Aphids
If pest infestation occurs, rinse the coral bush under the shower. Beforehand, cover the soil with foil so that no pests can hide there.
How is the coral bush properly overwintered?
The coral bush is not hardy and must be kept frost-free over the winter. Place it in a bright but cool location in winter. Ideally the temperatures are between eight and twelve degrees.
Water only enough so that the root ball is just moist. There is no fertilization in winter.
Tip
You can propagate a coral bush yourself. Harvest the red fruits and release the seeds. The dried seeds are sown in spring.
