The climbing trumpet or trumpet flower (Campsis) should not be confused with the related angel's trumpet, but develops just as impressive, brightly colored flowers. The trumpet vine can be used as a ground cover or cultivated as a climbing plant, for example to green a wall. But with a little effort and the appropriate patience, training as a standard breed is also quite possible.

A pruning promotes vigorous growth of the trumpet vine

The right time for a cut back

Since the trumpet vine only flowers on this year's young shoots, it should be pruned back heavily in early spring. Even a radical pruning down to the stem does not harm the plant, quite the opposite: it only sprout all the more vigorously. A March that is not too cold is best suited for such a caring pruning, whereby trumpet flowers cultivated in pots can also be repotted on this occasion.

Cut back trumpet flower - Here's how

For the climbing trumpet, the following cut variant has proven itself:

  • Completely remove all thin and weak shoots.
  • Shorten very long shoots to a maximum of three to four eyes.
  • This measure promotes branching and thus flowering.
  • All branches coming off the main shoot are also cut back to a maximum of four eyes.
  • If you radically cut the plant back to the vine, it will not flower this year.

You should also remove the fruits before they are ripe, because the trumpet flower spreads very quickly and then spreads uncontrollably.

Cut trumpet vine cuttings

For a controlled and varietal propagation of the trumpet vine, you can consider propagating by cuttings. This is best done in July, ergo just before flowering.

  • Cut off this year's shoot tips that are a maximum of 10 centimeters long.
  • Remove the lower leaves.
  • Fill a planter with sand.
  • Plant the cuttings in there.
  • Put a clear plastic bag or plastic bottle (cut off the bottom first) over it.
  • Place the planter in a bright place.
  • Keep the substrate evenly moist.
  • Air the plant several times a day.
  • The cover can be removed once new leaves develop.

However, the planting does not take place until the following spring. Until then, overwinter the cuttings under cold house conditions at a maximum of 12 °C.

tips

Only cut the trumpet vine in summer in emergencies, such as in the event of a pest or disease. Otherwise, remove all of the flower heads.

Category:

Vegetable garden