- Trumpet tree is also jokingly called "official tree".
- Encourage leaf sprouting through targeted fertilization
- Protect crown from late frost in spring
The trumpet tree (Catalpa bignonioides) becomes an imposing sight with increasing age: on the sprawling, several meter wide crown there are up to 20 centimeters long, heart-shaped leaves, which form a fascinating connection with the orchid-like flowers, especially during the flowering period . However, until you can enjoy this sight, you need a lot of patience. The trumpet tree naturally sprouts very late in the year.
The trumpet tree sprouts quite late
Trumpet tree is also jokingly called "official tree".
While everything in the garden is already green and blooming and the gardener is enjoying the growing splendor of spring, the trumpet tree is still standing around bare in winter. The Catalpa, which is also often called the "official tree" due to its very late sprouting, was therefore often declared to have frozen to death in the cold season. However, you can rest easy if your trumpet tree has no leaves in April or even early to mid-May: this is quite normal, they are still growing! On the other hand, the deciduous tree, originally from the southeastern United States, sheds its leaves comparatively early - as officials say: Comes late and goes early.
Encourage leaf sprouting through targeted fertilization
However, you can help the leaves to sprout by means of targeted fertilization. In particular, fertilizing with nitrogen-rich fertilizers in early spring not only promotes growth, but also the formation of the leaves. However, too much nitrogen can also lead to later flowering suffering or even failure. Instead, you can spoil Catalpa with a good portion of compost, which is spread around the tree disc and carefully worked in in March / April. But be careful: the roots of the trumpet tree are mostly just below the surface of the earth!
Protect crown from late frost in spring
In our latitudes, frost that occurs late in spring, especially at night, can be problematic not only for the flower buds, but also for the leaf sprouting. With a bit of bad luck, the systems will freeze away in the early spring months, so that frost protection appears necessary. To do this, you can cover the crown of the tree with a frost protection film or a garden fleece to protect the buds from freezing.
tips
You should be particularly careful with young trumpet trees, because they are much more sensitive to frosty temperatures than older specimens.