Lantern flowers are a real asset to the garden, because the orange fruit shells exude an exotic atmosphere. Regular cuts are recommended so that the ornamental perennial sprouts again every year and grows healthily. The right date is important here.
Lantern flowers adorn the winter garden, which is why they should not be cut back in autumn
The right time
Annual pruning measures are necessary for the Andean berry, as its above-ground shoots die off in autumn and the fresh shoots of the next year need sufficient light. For this reason, pruning is recommended after winter and just before the plant starts the new growing season. The exact date depends on the weather. When the snow has melted and intense frost periods are not imminent, you can reach for the scissors. Normally, lantern flowers do not sprout before April.
Avoid autumn pruning
Although radical cuts in autumn are possible, they should not be the first choice. On the one hand, cutting too early damages the growth of the perennial if it has not yet fully drawn its energy from the plant parts. On the other hand, you remove the natural winter protection, because the dried stems protect against frost and cold.
Here's why you shouldn't prune in the fall:
- Infructescences have a special ornamental value in winter
- Seeds provide food for birds during the nutrient-poor season
- hollow plant stems serve as winter quarters for insects
Plants that grow in tubs are an exception. Since these are stored in a frost-free winter quarters, you can also cut off the shoots before winter. The lanterns are harvested from September to October. The later you cut off the plant material, the drier the stems will be. These last longer than decorative elements.
Encourage sprouting
The lantern flower tolerates radical cuts, as long as it has completely withdrawn its energy from the above-ground parts of the plant. This measure is necessary, otherwise the new cotyledons will not get enough light for healthy and bushy growth. Therefore, cut back all shoots to the ground and do not leave any stems. Dried butts disturb the later overall picture.
tips
If you have to shorten the perennial close to the ground in autumn, consider winter protection.
Nursing interventions
If diseases, leaf discoloration or pest infestation appear during the growing season, you should cut off the affected parts of the plant promptly. You can always remove individual shoots that have died or are overgrowing. Use clean and sharp scissors for such measures. Frayed edges on the cuts unnecessarily weaken the flowering perennial.
Cut dried bouquets
The balloon-shaped fruits provide an aesthetic decoration for the vase and ideal material for designing dried bouquets. When cutting, you should thin out and only cut off isolated shoots with lanterns. If you remove these over the entire perennial, the Andean berry will remain attractive and not suffer from the loss of too much leaf mass.