Three times a year they trump with furious spike flowers in bright scarlet red, which remind of a bottle brush from afar. As a spectacular ornamental tree, tropical Callistemon have long since conquered a permanent place in our gardeners' hearts. The answers to frequently asked questions formulated here convey that the cultivation of the bottle brush is less delicate than assumed.

The cylinder brush comes from a warm climate zone and does not tolerate frost

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant cylinder brush properly
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. What soil does the plant need?
  5. When is flowering time?
  6. Cut cylinder brush correctly
  7. Pouring Cylinder Cleaner
  8. Fertilize cylinder brush properly
  9. hibernate
  10. Multiply cylinder brushes
  11. Is cylinder brush poisonous?
  12. Beautiful varieties

    13. Plant cylinder brush properly

    Since a Callistemon does not tolerate temperatures below zero, the attractive ornamental tree is staged in a large bucket. Plant the cylinder brush in a pot with a volume of at least 30 liters, as growth heights of 2 to 3 meters are not uncommon. As a substrate, we recommend high-quality potting soil, which is optimized with expanded clay, (19.73€) lava gravel or fine grit. This inorganic material is also suitable for preventing harmful waterlogging as a drainage system over the water outlet. This is how the procedure goes smoothly:

    • Above the drainage, fill the tub halfway up with the recommended substrate
    • Make a hollow with your fist to insert the stuffed Callistemon
    • The more precisely the previous planting depth is maintained, the more advantageous it is for the ornamental shrub

    After the soil has been pressed down and watered, the stressed cylinder brush stays in the partially shaded location for a few days to regenerate.

    care tips

    The care protocol for a Callistemon includes the following significant agenda items:

    • Fertilize with liquid every 10-14 days from March to September
    • Keep the root ball constantly moist without causing waterlogging
    • Clean out wilted flowers consistently
    • If necessary, cut back harder after the autumn flowering period

    If a Callistemon stayed on the sunny balcony throughout the summer, a move to the winter quarters is on the agenda in good time before the first frost. In the bright, cool place with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius, the floral magician rests from his three-time blossom spectacle. In the warmer conditions of the heated conservatory, a fourth bloom can be expected. However, this effort is at the expense of its service life. In this case, only make the shape and maintenance cut in February.

    Which location is suitable?

    As a sun worshiper, there can never be enough sun for a Callistemon. Therefore, place the bucket bright and warm. So that the striking, bottle cleaner-like flowers do not appear disheveled, the summery spot on the balcony should be sheltered from the wind. Where the ornamental tree has to be content with a semi-shady location, it will indignantly cancel the triple bloom.

    What soil does the plant need?

    When choosing the substrate, thrift is not appropriate. Reach for a potting soil of the best quality, because it is structurally stable and permeable at the same time. Ideally, add a few handfuls of expanded clay, quartz sand ($15.85) or lava granules ($13.99). For improved stability on the balcony, mix in nutrient-rich garden soil.

    When is flowering time?

    An exotic Callistemon delights us up to four times a year with its furious Cylinder Cleaner blossom. Cultivated on the terrace or balcony, the enchanting spike flowers are presented in May, July and September. Proud conservatory owners will be treated to another blooming season in February. The basic requirement for this masterpiece is the consistent pruning of the withered inflorescences.

    Cut cylinder brush correctly

    Proper pruning of ornamental evergreens is a common headache for gardeners. It's a good thing that the Callistemon is so pruning-tolerant and forgives one or the other beginner's mistake in a good-natured manner. How to cut the ornamental wood correctly:

    • Clean out wilted flowers immediately for a long flowering period
    • Position the scissors just below the withered flower for each cut
    • If necessary, a vigorous pruning immediately after autumn flowering
    • Combine the shape and maintenance cut with a thorough thinning out of dead shoots

    Admittedly, since a Callistemon blooms up to four times a year, pruning it properly takes a certain amount of time. Your efforts will be rewarded with a permanently branching ornamental tree that is hard to beat in terms of attractiveness.
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    Pouring Cylinder Cleaner

    The water balance of a Callistemon is at a high level. The root ball must not dry out at any time. If the cylinder brush suffers from drought stress, the abundance of flowers suffers and the leaves dry up. To prevent this from happening, check the surface of the substrate every day. If the top 2 cm has dried, there is a need for watering. It is an advantage if the ornamental tree is watered with soft water. The water collected in the saucer is emptied after 20 minutes at the latest.

    Fertilize cylinder brush properly

    In order to bring out the opulent flowers and foliage, a Callistemon requires an adequate supply of nutrients. How to handle it correctly:

    • Apply a complete liquid fertilizer every 10-14 days from March to September
    • Optionally apply a slow-release fertilizer in March and June

    The administration of organic fertilizer is less recommended due to the time-delayed effect for a cylinder brush.

    hibernate

    Native to sunny Australia, a Callistemon is unfamiliar with winter weather conditions. Since a temperature around freezing point can only be tolerated for a short time, the ornamental tree moves into the house, the conservatory or the greenhouse in September/October. This is how the tropical beauty gets through the cold season healthy:

    • The winter quarters are bright and cool, with temperatures around 12 degrees Celsius
    • Reduce watering and no longer fertilize from September
    • Make a pruning before putting it away

    Since the cylinder brush is excellently suited to decorating a conservatory all year round, the maintenance here takes place in a modified form. In proportion to the higher temperatures than in the typical winter quarters, there is a greater need for watering. From October to February, the plant continues to receive a dose of liquid fertilizer monthly. Since a fourth flowering can now be expected, the pruning will not take place until February.
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    Multiply cylinder brushes

    To multiply the exotic flower beauty, we recommend the cuttings method. This is how easy it is to breed a Callistemon:

    • Non-flowering, semi-lignified head cuttings cut with a length of 10-15 cm
    • Defoliate the lower part, leaving at least one pair of leaves
    • Fill small pots with standard soil or pricking soil in order to use two-thirds of each cutting
    • After casting, put on a transparent hood

    In a partially shaded location at an average of 20 degrees Celsius, rooting takes about 6 to 8 weeks. Then transfer your offspring to a larger bucket so that you can look after them like an adult cylinder brush from now on.
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    Is cylinder brush poisonous?

    The cylinder brush is the ideal ornamental tree for the family garden. Since all parts of the plant are completely non-toxic, a Callistemon does not pose any health risk to humans or animals.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Perth Pink: Pink flowering hybrid with reddish-tinged, velvety foliage
    • Yellow Cylinder Brush: The variety contrasts wonderfully with the bright red flowers of the wild species
    • Mauve Mist: Fantastically beautiful variety with pink-purple flowers and robust cut tolerance
    • Lemon Cylinder Cleaner: This Callistemon impresses with scarlet flowers and a lemony scent

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Herbs