Angel trumpets are among the ornamental plants that require more care - they are particularly demanding on hobby gardeners because of their high water and fertilizer requirements. Cutting back, on the other hand, is not quite as important - but one or two rules still apply.
How should you cut an angel trumpet?
Angel trumpets require little pruning because they do not grow quickly and branch independently. Shorten shoots slightly before wintering and shorten weak shoots before wintering. Radical pruning only in extreme cases, e.g. in the case of severe pest infestation.
How much pruning do angel trumpets need?
If you compare the pruning requirement with that of water and nutrients, you can almost sit back as an angel trumpet owner. Because the angel's trumpet is a comparatively easy-care protégé when it comes to growth. It does not grow excessively quickly and forms well-branched branches on its own, especially in the main vegetation phase over the summer. During the warm months, if you have the angel's trumpet outside, you usually don't have to cut it back.
In addition, the angel's trumpet is even more grateful for relatively little pruning - the less you prune it, the more it will thank you with lush flowers.
The favorable conditions for the little editing work are:
- no particularly fast growth that needs to be controlled
- good independent branching in the main vegetation phase
- more flowering joy with little pruning intervention
When pruning is necessary
However, you shouldn't leave your angel trumpet entirely to its own devices. Especially when it comes to wintering, you should use scissors in moderation. When this makes sense is hardly different from other plants that need to be overwintered - as a rule, it is advisable to shorten the plant in certain places once before bringing it in and once before leaving it for the winter.
Before wintering
Before you bring the angel's trumpet into its winter quarters in autumn, you can cut it back a little - but this is mainly because it then takes up less space indoors. Only prune the shoots that fork in the upper flowering region with the smaller, asymmetrical leaves. There should always be one leafy shoot left per branch - this way you get all the shoots that are capable of flowering and can still save space.
You shouldn't expect more reduction with a view to the next vegetation phase. Carry out the autumn pruning as early as possible when it is still mild and then do not immediately put the angel's trumpet into its winter quarters. This promotes good healing of the cut surfaces.
Before wintering
When a second cutting inspection is worthwhile is before wintering. Depending on the circumstances in the winter quarters, the angel's trumpet may have formed some shoots prematurely, but due to the lack of light they appear rather thin and have no or hardly any leaves. Before clearing out, you should shorten these so that one or two leaves remain.
Radical pruning only in extreme cases
Very rarely do you have to cut back the angel's trumpet radically - however, this only occurs in the case of really serious mite or fungal infestation and you should only take this emergency measure when all the plant-friendly remedies and treatments no longer help. Radical pruning can then save the angel's trumpet, but it also weakens it enormously.
