Cultivating a trumpet flower aims to produce many flowers. And this climbing plant is indeed generous with its flowers. The role that cutting plays in this has been well researched. Every owner should know about this.
How should you cut the trumpet flower?
To prune the trumpet flower for abundant flowers, cut back all side shoots vigorously in spring (February-March) so that only short cones with 3-4 eyes remain. Remove thin and dead shoots completely. In summer you should only prune if you are sick or infested with pests.
Flower formation on new shoots
The trumpet flower only forms its flower buds on new shoots. So every owner who hopes for plenty of flowers must also want lots of new shoots. In addition to good care, professional pruning is particularly suitable for stimulating the climbing plant to produce strong new growth. However, you should know that the plant only flowers for the first time when it is 3-4 years old.
The optimal time
As a summer-flowering plant, the trumpet flower must be cut in early spring, before the first shoots appear. The best time for this is in February. Cutting should be done by mid-March at the latest.
Short shoots considerably
The hardy trumpet flower overwinters without leaves, so the old shoots are clearly visible and accessible in spring. The main rub is clearly visible because it is the strongest. Thinner side shoots emerge from it.
- cut back all side shoots vigorously
- leave only short cones with 3-4 eyes
- remove very thin side shoots completely
- also remove all shoots that died in winter
Cut back to stock
If necessary, you can cut back the trumpet flower even more radically. It also tolerates the so-called reset to stock. Their main drive is also radically shortened. After that, new growth can be reliably expected, but not abundant flowering in the year of pruning.
Pruning measures in summer
In summer, this climbing plant should not be visited by scissors, because this also removes the flower heads. Only cut off shoots at this time if you have to. For example, in the event of illness or pest infestation. For plants that are slow to flower, it is also worth shortening long shoots to promote short shoots.
Tip
You can remove faded flowers as soon as possible. You should take action when the capsule fruits appear at the latest. Not only that they are among the most poisonous parts of plants. Through self-sowing, the plant can multiply uncontrollably and heavily.
Cut cuttings
In the spring, when the pruning takes place, the trumpet flower has not yet sprouted. If you want to propagate the plant through cuttings, you have to wait until the summer month of August. Then use clean, sharp scissors (€14.00 on Amazon) to cut half-ripe cuttings about 20 cm long. These can be rooted in small pots with potting soil.
Education as a tribe
The trumpet flower is mostly used as a climbing plant to green walls with its numerous long shoots. However, it is certainly possible to plant the plant in a large pot and train it as a standard or stem by pruning.
