Three times a year they boast furious spiked flowers in bright scarlet red, which from a distance are reminiscent of a bottle brush. Tropical Callistemon have long since conquered a permanent place in our gardeners' hearts as spectacular ornamental trees. The answers to common questions formulated here convey that the cultivation of the cylinder cleaner is less delicate than expected.
How do I care for a cylinder cleaner?
The callistemon (Callistemon) is an exotic ornamental tree that blooms up to four times a year with its red, bottlebrush-like flowers. Care includes regular watering, fertilizing, cutting and overwintering at temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius.
Planting cylinder cleaners correctly
Since a Callistemon cannot tolerate temperatures below zero degrees, the attractive ornamental tree is staged in a large bucket. Plant the cylinder cleaner in a pot with at least 30 liters volume, as growth heights of 2 to 3 meters are not uncommon. As a substrate, we recommend high-quality pot plant soil that is optimized with expanded clay, lava grit or fine grit. This inorganic material is also suitable for preventing harmful waterlogging as a drainage over the water drain. This is how the procedure goes smoothly:
- Fill the bucket above the drainage halfway up with the recommended substrate
- Press a hollow with your fist to insert the potted Callistemon
- The more precisely the previous planting depth is maintained, the more beneficial it is for the ornamental shrub
After the soil has been pressed and watered, the stressed cylinder cleaner stays in the partially shaded location for a few days to regenerate.
Care tips
The care protocol for a Callistemon contains the following significant agenda items:
- Fertilize liquidly every 10-14 days from March to September
- Keep the root ball constantly moist without causing waterlogging
- Consistently clean out withered flowers
- After the autumn flowering period, prune more vigorously if necessary
If a Callistemon stays on the sunny balcony throughout the summer, it will move to its winter quarters in time for the first frost. In a bright, cool place with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius, the floral magician is resting from his three-time flower spectacle. In the warmer conditions of the heated winter garden, a fourth bloom can be expected. However, this feat of strength comes at the expense of its lifespan. In this case, do not carry out the shape and maintenance pruning until February.
Which location is suitable?
As a sun worshiper, it can't be sunny enough for a Callistemon. Therefore, place the bucket in a light and warm place. So that the striking, bottle cleaner-like flowers do not appear disheveled, the summer spot on the balcony should be protected from the wind. Where the ornamental tree has to be content with a semi-shady location, it will be indignant that it will fail to bloom three times.
What soil does the plant need?
There is no need to be thrifty when choosing the substrate. Choose pot plant soil of the best quality, as it is structurally stable and permeable at the same time. Ideally, add a few handfuls of expanded clay, quartz sand or lava granules. For improved stability on the balcony, add nutrient-rich garden soil.
When is flowering time?
An exotic Callistemon delights us up to four times a year with its furious callistemon blossoms. Cultivated on the terrace or balcony, the enchanting spike flowers appear in May, July and September. Proud owners of a winter garden will be treated to another period of bloom in February. The basic requirement for this masterpiece is the consistent cutting of the withered inflorescences.
Cut the cylinder cleaner correctly
Proper cutting of evergreen ornamental trees is often a headache for gardeners. It's a good thing that the Callistemon is so easy to cut and forgives one or two beginner mistakes in a good-natured way. How to cut the ornamental tree correctly:
- Clean up wilted flowers immediately for a long flowering period
- For each cut, place the scissors just below the withered flower
- If necessary, a strong pruning immediately after the autumn blossom
- Combine the shape and maintenance pruning with a thorough thinning out of dead shoots
Since a Callistemon blooms up to four times a year, proper pruning admittedly requires a certain amount of time. However, your efforts will be rewarded with a permanently branching ornamental tree that is hard to beat in terms of attractiveness.read more
Pouring the cylinder cleaner
The water balance of a Callistemon is at a high level. The root ball must not dry out at any time. If the cylinder cleaner suffers from drought stress, the abundance of flowers suffers and the leaves dry out. To prevent this from happening, check the surface of the substrate every day. If the top 2 cm are dry, watering is required. It is an advantage if the ornamental tree is watered with soft water. The water collected in the saucer is emptied after 20 minutes at the latest.
Fertilize cylinder cleaners correctly
In order to produce the opulent flowers and leaves, a Callistemon requires a sufficient supply of nutrients. How to handle it correctly:
- Administer a liquid complete fertilizer every 10-14 days from March to September
- Apply a slow-release fertilizer in March and June
Giving organic fertilizer is less recommended for a cylinder cleaner due to the delayed effect.
Wintering
Native to sunny Australia, a Callistemon is unfamiliar with winter weather conditions. Since a temperature around freezing point can only be tolerated for a short time, the ornamental tree moves into the house, winter garden or greenhouse in September/October. This is how the tropical beauty gets through the cold season he althy:
- The winter quarters are bright and cool, with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius
- Reduce watering and stop fertilizing from September
- Prune before putting away
Since the cylinder cleaner is ideal for decorating a winter garden all year round, the care here takes a different form. Proportional to the higher temperatures than in the typical winter quarters, there is a higher need for watering. From October to February, the plant continues to receive a monthly dose of liquid fertilizer. Since a fourth flowering can now be expected, pruning will not take place until February.read more
Propagate cylinder cleaners
To propagate the exotic flower beauty, we recommend the cutting method. Breeding a Callistemon is so easy:
- Non-flowering, semi-woody head cuttings cut with a length of 10-15 cm
- Defoliate the lower part so that at least one pair of leaves remains
- Fill small pots with standard soil or pricking soil in order to insert two-thirds of a cutting into each
- After pouring, put on a transparent hood
In a partially shaded location with an average temperature of 20 degrees Celsius, rooting takes around 6 to 8 weeks. Then repot your pupils into a larger pot so that you can look after them like an adult cylinder cleaner from now on.read more
Is callistemon poisonous?
The cylinder cleaner is the ideal ornamental tree for the family garden. Since all parts of the plant are completely non-toxic, a Callistemon poses no he alth risk to humans or animals.read more
Beautiful varieties
- Perth Pink: Pink flowering hybrid with reddish, velvety foliage
- Yellow Callistemon: The variety contrasts wonderfully with the bright red flowers of the wild species
- Mauve Mist: Fantastically beautiful breeding with pink-violet flowers and robust cutting tolerance
- Lemon Callistemon: This Callistemon impresses with its scarlet-red flowers and lemony scent
