Although the vinegar tree is considered an easy-care ornamental shrub, it needs care every now and then. Water and fertilizer are only necessary in certain situations. Cutting and wintering are also easy. There are differences between potted plants and outdoor shrubs.
The vinegar tree is very hardypour
Vinegar trees are undemanding when it comes to their care. If the site conditions are right, the wood will develop splendidly without much maintenance. The shrub only shows gratitude for watering during very long dry periods. Under normal conditions, the water content in the soil, which the root system uses over a large area, is sufficient.
Potted plants should be watered more regularly so that the substrate is continuously moist. The wood does not tolerate waterlogging, which is why you should make sure there is sufficient drainage in the bucket and a permeable substrate with a proportion of sand.
Fertilize
Its widely branched and flat root system serves to extract water and nutrients from the substrate over a large area. Therefore, fertilization is also not necessary. To support stagnant growth, you can fertilize the vinegar tree between April and August with compost that is spread on the tree disc. Avoid working it into the substrate as this could damage the shallow-running roots. Budding can occur at the open roots. Alternatively, nettle manure is suitable as fertilizer.
To cut
Cutting measures are not necessary. They often encourage the development of unwanted urges. Bare branches can be cut from the crown all year round. A pruning reduces the size of crowns that have grown too high or too wide. Vinegar trees should not be cut back too far into the old wood. Although the wood will sprout again at the cutting points, the shoot bases are often unstable and therefore at risk of wind damage.
When cultivating in tubs, regular topiary is required so that the vinegar tree does not lose its shape. The shrub tolerates regular pruning without any problems and sprout again quickly.
hibernate
Vinegar trees are hardy down to temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius when grown outdoors. Potted plants need winter protection.
How to overwinter potted plants:
- Wrap the planter in a jute sack (€10.99).
- Place bucket on a block of wood
- place in a sheltered place, e.g. on the south wall
- ideally place in the house