- How is the shell cypress watered?
- How often does it need to be fertilized?
- When is clam cypress pruning necessary?
- Do you need to transplant clam cypresses?
- What diseases and pests can occur?
- Why do the needles turn brown?
- How is the mussel cypress overwintered?
Shell cypresses differ from other types of cypress in that they grow much more slowly and are not as tall. Maintenance is a little more complicated. What you need to consider when caring for a mussel cypress.
The mussel cypress likes it slightly damp
How is the shell cypress watered?
The substrate must never dry out completely. On the other hand, the mussel cypress does not tolerate waterlogging.
Water whenever the surface has dried out about two centimeters deep. When caring for them in the bucket, you have to water them more often.
Use rainwater, because mussel cypresses do not tolerate calcareous water well.
How often does it need to be fertilized?
When caring for outdoors, fertilize twice a year by adding compost or conifer fertilizer. The best way to take care of potted plants is to add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water. Halve the amount stated on the fertilizer packaging. A fertilizer application every six to eight weeks is sufficient.
When is clam cypress pruning necessary?
In principle, you do not have to cut mussel cypresses at all. If you cut, then rather only a little and more often.
Do you need to transplant clam cypresses?
In the field, you should only transplant young mussel cypresses if you cannot avoid it. Container plants need to be repotted every two to three years.
What diseases and pests can occur?
- root rot
- aphids
- leaf miners
- mites
Why do the needles turn brown?
It is normal for the needles to turn brown inside. Just shake them off so the tree gets more light inside.
If the outer shoot tips turn brown, root rot, a bad location or too much or too little moisture can be responsible.
How is the mussel cypress overwintered?
Most species of mussel cypress are not hardy. They must be overwintered indoors at at least five degrees. 16 to 18 degrees are ideal.
Only varieties that are designated as conditionally hardy may be planted outdoors. A sheltered location is still useful. A mulch cover that you spread under the mussel cypress forms quite good protection.
tips
Propagating mussel cypresses is not easy and also takes a long time. Cuttings and grafting are possible methods of propagation.