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In the Mediterranean region, the evergreen arbutus is often cultivated for ornamental purposes. The decorative exotic is also suitable for our gardens, especially as it proves to be extremely easy to care for. The red fruits, reminiscent of ripe strawberries, and the umbels of flowers that appear at the same time make this little tree a real eye-catcher.

The strawberry tree is very robust

water demand

Keep the soil constantly moist during the summer months. Waterlogging must be avoided at all costs, so pour away excess liquid in the coaster after a few minutes. Always use lime-free water, such as rainwater, as Arbutus does not tolerate lime.

How is fertilized?

For fertilization, you can use commercially available complete fertilizer, which is administered at intervals of about three weeks.

Strawberry trees cultivated outdoors provide you with fully ripe compost in April and July. Further fertilizers are not necessary here.

How is repotted?

Pay attention to the following points during this maintenance measure:

  • Repot in spring.
  • The substrate used must be lime-free.
  • Mix commercial potting soil with quartz sand.(15.85€)
  • Choose a planter with a good drainage and cover the drainage hole with a potsherd.
  • A drainage layer of expanded clay (19.73€) to avoid waterlogging is recommended.

You should not transplant trees that grow outdoors, because the strawberry tree does not like that at all. The plants then often no longer thrive.

Can the tree be cut?

Arbutus is relatively tolerant of pruning. In early spring you can shorten those shoots that are not bearing fruit. After the possible harvest in late summer, branches that have become too long are cut back. The strawberry tree also doesn't mind a shortening of individual, disturbing shoots during the growth period.

How do you overwinter?

  • In Germany, strawberry trees that have been planted out need adequate winter protection.
  • Place potted plants in a room that is as cool and bright as possible.
  • Arbutus also feels at home in the conservatory during the cold season.
  • Water only in sips so that the substrate does not dry out completely.
  • There is no fertilization at all.

pests and diseases

Arbutus is extremely hardy and is rarely visited by vermin. Only aphids, which can be easily combated with environmentally friendly means, can occur occasionally.

Sometimes excessive leaf shedding becomes a problem. As an evergreen plant, Arbutus loses foliage throughout the year because this is the only way for new leaves to form. Through:

  • growth problems
  • too frequent or too infrequent watering
  • unfavorable weather conditions
  • too calcareous soil with high pH

the tree gets stressed. Then an excessive number of leaves turn yellow and are dropped. If you eliminate the cause, the plant usually recovers quickly.

Leaf spot disease or powdery mildew occur very rarely. These fungal diseases can be easily combated with suitable means.

tips

You can easily propagate strawberry trees yourself from cuttings. With a little patience, it can also be grown from seeds without any problems.

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Trees