Lantana demonstrate their South American temperament with fascinating modulations of their flower colors. The floral phenomenon is closely related to proper cutting care. This tutorial explains in detail why this is the case and how to cut the exotic potted plants correctly.

Lantana bloom on one year old wood

Table of Contents

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  1. Cut Options
  2. cutting dates
  3. build-up cut
  4. thinning cut
  5. summer cut
  6. Training cut high stem
  7. taper cut
  8. Root pruning instructions
  9. frequently asked Questions

    10. Numerous types of cuts are possible

    The Lantana (Lantana camara) is one of the most popular tub plants for balconies and terraces. The flowering shrub owes its success story to a never-ending flowering period from spring to autumn. The most magnificent flower density unfolds on this year's shoots. The phenomenal play of colors of its distinctive flower heads is unsurpassed. During the flowering period, the tones change cheerfully from yellow to orange and red. New varieties fluctuate from white to yellow and purple. The color change depends on how much time has passed since the buds unfolded.

    Lantana combine their versatility with good-natured pruning tolerance, which offers the gardener a wide range of uses. The following table gives you a brief summary of all the editing options:

    cut type aim period/occasion
    build-up cut Formation of a stable framework as an ornamental shrub 1st to 5th year
    thinning cut Maintaining shape and plant health from the 6th year
    summer cut Promotion of abundance of flowers and intensity in the color change each year
    education cut Upbringing to the standard 1st to 5th year
    taper cut Rebuild aged Lantana with progressive aging
    root cutting Reduce growth in height and width necessary in case of excessive growth

    Please note that numerous modern Lantana varieties with a growth height of 20 to 30 centimeters thrive compactly and do not become woody. The innovative Lantana series 'Esperanta', for example, offers magnificent dwarf varieties for annual cultivation in summer flower beds, balcony boxes and hanging baskets Retired from flowering on the compost heap.

    Cut tolerance allows several appointments in the year

    The diverse types of cuts already indicate that several appointments for the cut care are possible for Lantana. The following overview lists the optimal times at which the ornamental trees benefit particularly from pruning:

    • Pruning and thinning out: in early spring, just before clearing out
    • Summer pruning: several times during the flowering period
    • Training pruning to standard: in late winter or early spring, by April at the latest
    • Rejuvenation pruning: between January and March
    • Root pruning: in spring during repotting

    The dates mentioned take place primarily during or at the end of the winter growth dormancy. This has the advantage that lantana have shed their leaves in the cool winter quarters and you have a better view of the branches. For pruning measures during the summer, we recommend a time of day when the ornamental tree is not in direct sunlight.

    Shapely growth right from the start - instructions for the build-up cut

    Under the influence of the Central European climate, tropical lantana thrive as summer green ornamental shrubs. In a sunny location with a balanced supply of water and nutrients, the flowering shrubs grow into bushes with a dense network of branches over the years. By constructing a stable basic structure from ground shoots, you direct the growth in the direction of a well-groomed appearance. This is how the perfect build-up cut succeeds:

    • Select 3 to 5 of the strongest ground shoots in the first year
    • Cut off all other shoots at ground level
    • In the following 4 years, lengthen the scaffolding shoots by 10 centimeters every year
    • Cut back side shoots by a third or half along the base shoots that form the skeleton

    Lantana develops most beautifully as a shrub when the skeletal shoots form a pyramid. With a broad base and tapering crown, you grow a light-flooded flowering shrub that also has dense foliage on the inside and numerous side shoots with terminal flower heads. During the five years of development, in late winter each year, remove any shoots that compete with the skeletal shoots that grow out of the ground. You should keep an eye on the recommended conical form of training for a Lantana shrub when the pruning ends after the growth pruning in the thinning pruning.

    Thinning pruning guarantees a long plant life

    The pruning is aimed at maintaining a light-flooded, conical shrub shape. At the same time, the type of pruning effectively prevents premature senescence with the help of continuous rejuvenation of skeletal and flowering shoots. The incision is very simple. This is how you master the thinning cut with flying colours:

    • Cut out all of the dead wood at the entrance
    • Cut off damaged, transverse, criss-crossing and inward branches
    • Cut back the faded side shoots of the previous year by at least one third to a maximum of two thirds
    • From the sixth year, shorten the two oldest skeleton shoots to ground level
    • At the same time, build up two strong ground shoots every year as a replacement in the sense of continuous rejuvenation

    When pruning the side shoots, please note that a vigorous pruning to 2 to 4 centimeter short cones will delay the beginning of the flowering period. In return, you achieve more compact growth with flowering branches this year. The crown of the shrub should be shortened by at least a third so that it does not fall apart during the flowering period.

    You give the growth and the willingness to bloom additional impetus if you slim down older scaffolding shoots that have not been thinned out with a diversion cut. To do this, cut the shoot tips back to a young side shoot that is halfway up.

    Lanterns do not bloom on perennial shoots. Therefore, cut back the one-year-old side shoots on the framework vigorously every year to short spurs of 2 to 4 centimeters.

    Summer pruning favors blooms

    The summer cut is particularly important on Lantana. By removing withered flowers, side shoots and their terminal buds underneath have free access to sunlight and start the fascinating play of colors again. Furthermore, overly long shoots spoil the well-groomed appearance and should be cut back into shape. Therefore, reach for the scissors several times in the summer on strong-growing plants to carry out this pruning care:

    • Cut off faded side shoots from this year
    • Cut back branches that are too long to an outward-facing pair of buds or leaves
    • Heavily overhanging skeletal shoots lead to a lower side branch

    Can't you provide your lantana a bright, airy winter quarters, but put the potted plants in a dark basement room? Then the summer pruning ends with the pruning of all shoots by half before clearing. The precaution effectively prevents common diseases and pests.

    tips

    Sharp pruning shears or pruning shears are suitable for cutting lantana. Since the shoots gradually become lignified, sharp, clean blades are important for an accurate cut with smooth wound edges. A pair of scissors with a bypass mechanism is advisable because, unlike anvil scissors, they have two sharp blades. In order to thin out an older scaffold drive, we recommend the handy Japanese saw with a foldable saw blade.

    Picturesque high stem - instructions for the educational cut

    The growth law of top support comes into focus for the skillful upbringing cut to the high standard. Accordingly, a top bud has disproportionately more vigor than lower-lying buds. If the top bud loses its top position due to pruning, the growth power is distributed to all buds of equal status. The law is fundamental for determining the trunk height. If you cut off the tip of the middle shoot too early, your lantana will remain tiny.

    The relationships surrounding the top promotion are closely linked to the concept of the juice scale. This aspect plays a central role in building a harmonious crown. So that the growth forces are evenly distributed, the top buds of the main branches should be at the same level and not too far from the top of the trunk. The following parenting cut guide explains how to do it right:

    • Identify a taut, upright and strong ground drive to the future stem on the young lantana
    • Cut off all other ground shoots
    • Tie the center drive to a support rod with a soft hose band
    • Cut off side branches without damaging the bark of the central shoot
    • Guide the central shoot along the support to the desired crown height

    If the top bud of the central shoot is 4 to 5 pairs of leaves above the desired base of the crown, you can cut off the top to prevent further growth. The cutting of the trunk tip initiates the branching to the crown. Similar to the pruning of a shrub, a framework of 3 to 5 main branches is advantageous for growing a flowery, rounded crown with numerous side branches this year. On the standard stem, the pruning pursues the same goal as on the lantana bush, in that the faded shoots of the previous year are shortened to short stumps.

    Rejuvenate aged Lantana - this is how it works

    Lantana's compatibility with cuts allows for a radical rejuvenation cut. This type of pruning is used when the annual pruning with the continuous replacement of old scaffolding shoots did not take place. With this cut you can undo the omissions:

    • Start by cutting out all deadwood from the bush or crown
    • Shorten senile skeletal shoots to a lower, vital side shoot
    • Cut back shoots without lateral branching to 2 cm
    • Build young ground or leading shoots to the new framework

    The degree of senescence determines how long it takes for the shrub or crown to rebuild after regeneration. If a lantana bush already has a few young bottom shoots, the upbringing is completed within 2 to 3 years and leads to the thinning out. The same applies to the crown of the standard stem, which forms quickly when young shoots are already waiting to form a new framework.

    tips

    Are you unsure whether a ground or crown shoot should be thinned out as deadwood or not? Then a simple vitality test eliminates any concerns. Scrape off some of the bark with the tip of a knife or your fingernail. If brown, dry tissue appears, you are dealing with dead wood. Green, light and juicy tissue signals that life is pulsating in this shoot.

    Root pruning keeps growth in check

    Wherever lantana feel in good hands, they like to overshoot the mark when growing. Gardeners then get obvious proof why the flowering shrubs are notorious as invasive plants in their tropical home regions. The good-natured pruning tolerance, which extends to the root ball, helps you to solve the problem. How to Control Overgrowth with a Root Pruning:

    • The best time is in spring in connection with the annual repotting
    • Pot the lantana and shake off the substrate
    • Thoroughly clean and reuse the old pot
    • With a long, sharp knife, reduce the root ball all around

    The root volume must not be reduced by more than 50 percent. Then pot the plant in the usual manner in fresh substrate and water thoroughly. It is important to note that you cut back the shoots in proportion to the reduced root volume during thinning and maintenance pruning. In concrete terms, this means that a root cut by a third or half results in an equally extensive pruning of the branches.

    frequently asked Questions

    The space in the winter quarters is very limited. Can I prune lantana in the fall before putting them away?

    Grateful Lantana don't blame you for pruning at any time of the year. The dates that can be read in this tutorial indicate the optimum time for the type of cut in question. If your premises for the overwintering of frost-sensitive potted plants are cramped, there is nothing to be said against cutting them to the right size. Please measure the circumference to what is absolutely necessary and only carry out the main cut in late winter.

    Can the clippings be used for propagation?

    With the exception of deadwood that has been thinned out or stunted, diseased shoots, the clippings are excellent for propagating lantana. Ideally, choose young, non-lignified shoot tips that have not yet budded. Cut suitable cuttings below a pair of leaves to a length of 10 to 15 centimeters. Remove all leaves from the lower half and place the shoots in moist potting soil. In a warm, bright location, rooting takes about four weeks.

    Can lantana hibernate outside?

    Lantana are not hardy and shiver at temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius. The tropical beauties are therefore not suitable for spending the winter in the open air. The lack of winter hardiness does not imply that you dispose of the busy perpetual bloomers after a single season. In terms of a suitable winter quarters, the ornamental trees are not choosy as long as the temperatures are between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius.

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    tips

    Lantana are poisonous in all parts. The highest concentration of poison is in the berries. Please place the potted plants out of the reach of children and pets. Put on gloves with gauntlets for cutting care. If the plant sap comes into contact with your skin when it is exposed to the sun, there is a risk of phototoxic reactions.

Category:

Indoor plants