bottle brush plant

[tuck44]

I live in bristol uk I have a bottle brush plant that has flowered wel

in the last 2years but now looks as if it could have been frost damage as all the tips of last years flowers have gone brown although th leaves are still green. Should I prune the tips or what other treatmen should i use

[David E. Ross]

Is your bottle brush Callistemon or Melaleuca? Both are in the myrtle family and are native to Australia.

The flowers on Callistemon generally last only one season, so last year's flowers should already be history. Callistemon can be pruned severely, especially now before summer comes. However, prune only to above green foliage; pruning below the lowest green leaf may cause the entire branch to die (similar to pruning lavender). Pruning is not really necessary except for aesthetic purposes or to remove deadwood.

I'm not familiar with the care of Melaleuca. However, I know that it is considered an invasive pest in Florida.

[symplastless]

As far as targets go I have this section for you on pruning. Often myrtle is topped and people claim it was pollarded - not true. Mulching correct also will also correct. I am willing to help you anyway I can.

Pruning

Mulching -

If you would like to get more technical I recommend MODERN ARBORICULTURE, the book. It can be obtained at your library or they can get it for free.

He was my professor in New Tree Biology Studies Sincerely, John A. Keslick, Jr. Consulting Tree Biologist

Beware of so-called tree experts who do not understand tree biology. Storms, fires, floods, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions keep reminding us that we are not the boss. Some people will buy products they do not understand and not buy books that will give them understanding.

[FarmI]

I guess it depends on how old it is. I have cut a callistemon that was at least 15 years old and almost 6 ft back very hard as it was leggy and ugly. The first year I cut off about two third of each branch on one side of the bush (back into bare wood) and when this repsonded brillaintly and bushed up, I than cut back the back half of the bush hard the next year.

The following site at the Australian National Botanic Garden may be of interest to you as it discusses pruning at various stages and in various places;

[gardenlife]