Lantern flowers are a real enrichment for the garden because the orange fruit casings exude an exotic atmosphere. Regular cuts are recommended so that the ornamental perennial sprouts new shoots every year and grows he althily. It all depends on the right date.
When and how should you cut a lantern flower?
For a he althy lantern flower, you should cut it close to the ground in spring, after winter and before new growth. Avoid autumn pruning and remove diseased or dead shoots at any time with clean and sharp scissors.
The right time
Annual pruning is necessary for the Andean berry because its above-ground shoots die in autumn and next year's fresh shoots need sufficient light. For this reason, it is recommended to prune after winter and shortly before the plant starts the new growing season. The exact date depends on the weather. When the snow has melted and there are no intense frosts ahead, you can use scissors. Normally lantern flowers do not sprout before April.
Avoid autumn pruning
Radical cuts in autumn are possible, but should not be the first choice. On the one hand, cutting too early damages the growth of the perennial if it has not yet drawn all of its energy from the plant parts. On the other hand, this removes the natural winter protection, because the dried stems protect against frost and cold.
This is why you shouldn't prune in the fall:
- Fruits have a special ornamental value in winter
- Seeds provide food for birds during the food-poor season
- hollow plant stems serve as winter quarters for insects
Plants that grow in pots are an exception. Since these are stored in a frost-free winter quarter, you can also cut off the shoots before winter. The harvest time for lanterns extends from September to October. The later you cut off the plant material, the drier the stems will be. These last longer as decorative elements.
Stimulate budding
The lantern flower tolerates radical cuts as long as it has completely withdrawn its energy from the above-ground parts of the plant. This measure is necessary because otherwise the new cotyledons will not receive enough light for he althy and bushy growth. Therefore, cut all shoots back to the ground and do not leave any stems standing. Dried stubs disrupt the overall picture.
Tip
If you have to shorten the perennial close to the ground in autumn, think about winter protection.
Nursing procedures
If diseases, leaf discoloration or pest infestation become apparent during the growing season, you should cut off the affected parts of the plant as soon as possible. You can always remove individual shoots that have died or are growing too much. Use clean and sharp scissors for such measures. Frayed edges at the cuts weaken the flowering plant unnecessarily.
Cutting dry bouquets
The balloon-shaped fruits provide an aesthetic decoration for the vase and ideal material for creating dry bouquets. When cutting, you should thin out and only cut off a few shoots with lanterns. If you remove these across the entire perennial, the Andean berry will remain attractive and will not suffer from the loss of too much leaf mass.
