Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Chilean lantern tree

FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
in Problem solving
Hello forkers! I am hoping someone knows about Chilean lantern trees because I have one which I grew from a cutting whcih is now a metre tall and has grown rapidly and been healthy and flowered.
This winter however it got covered in black spot so I picked off most foliage. I also pruned each branch back about a third in the hope it could get more bushy becuase it's rwlly tall and skinny and sparse.

Basically I'm looking for advice to help it Bush out... Is there anything I can do to give it a boost. There's not tok much info on these plants online unfortunately...
Any and all help appreciated! 

Posts

  • KaymayKaymay Posts: 79
    Is it in acid soil?  They are very common here in Cornwall. I found that when I lived in the Midlands that they didn't thrive very well at all so maybe they like a temperate climate. An Ericaceous feed might help.
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Hi kaymay! Thanks for the response. I'm in South Wales so fairly mild but I can't remember what soil I used... Its in a large pot see. I think I should perhaps give it a feed and top up with fresh soil. I hope it bushes out it looks so twiggy! 
  • KaymayKaymay Posts: 79
    Yes it likes mildish climates but does need ericaceous soil/feed and they like humid conditions too (expect you get as much rain as we do so hopefully it will start thriving again!)
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Your Crinodendron will respond to careful pruning AFTER flowering ; take a look at this:-

    Some useful reading on here !

  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Thank you that's interesting it says not to feed. I will wait and see what happens then. Thanks both! 
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Sorry for ressurecting an old thread but I'm still unhappy with the shape on this which is even taller and skinnier than ever.
    I want to chop it right back but im
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Crinodendrons can be hard pruned at the expense of maybe a couple of years flowers .
    Probably worth it to attain a more aesthetic appearance .
    Wait until slightly better weather though !
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Thanks Paul B3! I was going to try and take some cuttings before chopping it back. Any time of year you think might be better to do it? Thank you!
  • Paul B3Paul B3 Posts: 3,154
    Apologies for the delay , just enjoying a well-earned pint and several vodkas ;)
    I would have thought that semi-hardwood cuttings would be most viable in early Summer .
  • FfoxgloveFfoxglove Posts: 538
    Thank you for all your advice - I will wait and tackle it later in the year!
Sign In or Register to comment.