Its proverbial hard wood does not imply that the ironwood tree is tough when the scissors are used. In this point of care, your Parrotia persica favors a reserved approach. These instructions explain how to keep the ornamental tree in shape.
The ironwood tree is pruned after flowering
When is the best time for the cut?
As an early bloomer, an ironwood tree buds in the previous year. The classic date for pruning trees in late winter is therefore not valid for a Parrotia persica. Instead, wait for the flowering period to prune the ornamental tree in March/April on a frost-free, overcast day.
Moderate cutting is key - how to do it right
In order to cut the hard wood smoothly and without damaging fraying, the scissors should be freshly sharpened. Clean the cut surfaces with alcohol so that pathogens and pests do not gain access to the plant in this way. This incision has proven itself in practice on the ironwood tree:
- Shorten branches that have grown out of shape by a maximum of one third
- Position the scissors so that the cutting point is 1-3 mm above a leaf node
- Cut off deadwood, frozen or diseased shoots on the branch
- Remove one from branches that are too close together
- Cut inward branches at the base
In any case, avoid cutting into the old wood, because then an iron tree will hardly sprout again. Finally, clean off any faded flowers. The cut is made at a short distance from the nearest pair of leaves or the sleeping eye. The growth of the inconspicuous capsule fruits costs the plant an unnecessary amount of energy.
Care program after the cut
After pruning, with the right care, you set the course for a furious play of colors in autumn. Pamper an ironwood tree in the bed now and in June with a portion of compost and horn shavings. (€32.93) Rake the fertilizer lightly into the root disk and water again. During warm summer days, make sure that the soil does not dry out completely. If the rainfall is insufficient, water with collected rainwater.
The limited amount of substrate in the bucket requires that nutrients are regularly replenished. Therefore, administer a liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks, which you add to the irrigation water. Check every 1 to 2 days with a thumb test whether the substrate has dried. Let the lime-free water run onto the root disc until it runs out from under the pot.
tips
The winter hardiness of your ironwood tree is naturally enhanced with a potassium-rich fertilizer. Therefore, switch the nutrient supply to comfrey liquid manure, patent potash, Thomaspotash or a similar fertilizer in August and September.