- How often should a coral tree be watered?
- What should be considered when repotting the coral tree?
- When and how to prune the coral tree?
- Which pests can harm the coral tree?
- What diseases can affect the coral tree?
- What should be considered when fertilizing a coral tree?
- How does the coral tree get through the winter without any problems?
Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
In nature, the coral tree can grow into a stately tree with a spreading crown in tropical and subtropical forests. In this country, the plant with the striking red flowers is cultivated more as a container plant or as a houseplant due to its sensitivity to frost.
The coral tree likes it as bright as possible
How often should a coral tree be watered?
As a plant of the tropics and subtropics, the coral tree loves a substrate that is always slightly moist. However, as with most plants, waterlogging is by no means recommended. Similar to a bougainvillea, coral trees can also be supplied with moisture via the water level in a coaster.
What should be considered when repotting the coral tree?
As a container plant, a coral tree should be repotted about every three years and provided with fresh plant substrate. Spring is the best time for this. To make suitable soil, simply mix ordinary garden soil with a generous amount of settled compost. If possible, the new pot should only be slightly larger than the previous pot.
When and how to prune the coral tree?
In order for a coral tree to still fit into its winter quarters as it gets older, pruning is usually unavoidable after a certain point in time. Ideally, the coral tree is thinned out in spring. If this subtle pruning is done regularly every spring, it is better tolerated by the plant than an overly vigorous pruning in autumn.
Which pests can harm the coral tree?
The coral tree is generally not particularly susceptible to pests, but heat stress can occasionally lead to an increased infestation with spider mites in summer.
What diseases can affect the coral tree?
In the coral trees, diseases are very rarely a problem. However, you should make sure that potted specimens can dry well before wintering.
What should be considered when fertilizing a coral tree?
With regard to fertilization, many types of nutrient supply are possible for the coral tree:
- organic fertilizers
- mineral-organic fertilizers
- long-term fertilizer
- liquid fertilizer
Liquid fertilizers can be administered with the irrigation water about every two weeks, slow-release fertilizers should be spread once in March and then again in July. A mulch layer of well-seasoned garden compost not only supplies the coral tree with nutrients, but also protects the root area from drying out.
How does the coral tree get through the winter without any problems?
The coral tree, which is sensitive to frost, has to move to a suitable winter quarters as quickly as possible when temperatures are permanently below 10 degrees Celsius. The following conditions should prevail there:
- Temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius
- relatively dry plant substrate
- no fertilization during the winter period
- as much daylight as possible
tips
The better a tropical dry season can be simulated during hibernation, the richer the winter flowering of the plant, which lasts well into spring, will be with good care.