The eucalyptus is one of the interesting ornamental plants, because its leaves exude an intense aroma and can even be used in some species. The maintenance is a bit more complex, because the tropical plants are not adapted to the climatic conditions in Germany. In addition to being given attention in summer, the plant also needs a little attention in winter for healthy growth.
Guarantee development time
The ideal planting time is in spring, because the sensitive trees need time to take root. In order for them to survive the winter outdoors, you should not plant the plants too late. Frost-hardy species can be put outdoors in mid-May after the ice saints. Choose a full sun to give the sun-hungry plant optimal location conditions. In Germany, frost-sensitive species are only suitable for cultivation in pots. You like to spend the warm season outside:
- Put the pots outside after the ice saints
- prefer a sheltered location on a southern wall of the house
- Buckets can be on the balcony and terrace until autumn
Tip: You can sink frost-sensitive eucalyptus species into the ground with a pot. Use clay pots without glazing, which regulate the water balance automatically.
Provide fertile soil
Almost all eucalyptus species prefer nutrient-rich soil that ensures a high level of water drainage. The woody plants feel comfortable in slightly acidic to neutral soil. Normal garden soil is upgraded with compost before planting to increase fertility. If the soil has a lot of clay, it can be improved with a mixture of sand and compost.
Optimize water permeability
On waterlogging
Eucalyptus species react very sensitively in the substrate. Their roots quickly begin to rot if irrigation or rainwater cannot drain off optimally. Many substrates tend to compact. In the open air, the irrigation water flows off the surface and does not penetrate to the root ball. In potted plants, waterlogging can easily occur at the bottom of the pot if a permeable substrate is not used. Mix coarse-grained ingredients into the substrate so that small voids form in the soil. Potted plant soil is enriched with coarse sand so that the irrigation water can run off better.Tip: An elevated position in the garden such as a raised bed or a terrace slope optimizes the drainage of water.
Compensate for water loss
The eucalyptus tree has comparatively large leaves, through which large amounts of water evaporate when exposed to direct sunlight. In order for the tropical wood to survive in Germany, it should be watered regularly. Make sure that the moisture in the soil is even, because the ornamental plant does not like extreme fluctuations. A balanced water balance leads to rapid growth and optimal leaf color. The water requirement is reduced outside the main growing season. While you rarely have to water the plant in winter, the eucalyptus tree needs more attention in summer:
- Let the substrate surface dry before each watering
- Check the moisture in the substrate with your finger
- Pour thoroughly and pour off excess water
Tip: Pot substrates in particular tend to dry out on the surface. However, under the crumbly crust is usually sufficient
Moisture present, which is why the finger test should definitely be used.Avoid adding lime
The tropical plants do not tolerate lime, which is why you should not only prepare the soil accordingly. When watering, too, you have to make sure that the plant does not get too much lime. If the tap water in your area is very hard, leave it for a while. As a result, the lime is deposited on the vessel wall and only a few residues remain in the irrigation water. You can also boil the water or mix it with distilled water. The best option is to water it with rainwater.
Meet nutritional needs
A high supply of nutrients supports the eucalyptus and ensures rapid leaf development. The growing season starts again in spring after the wood has survived the winter dormancy. From this point on, you can feed the wood with nutrients every two to four weeks. Use a complete fertilizer during this phase and keep these tips in mind:
- Give fertilizer in normal concentration
- excessive nutrient supply leads to excessive growth
- Fertilizer should contain little nitrogen and phosphorus.
In summer you switch to a potassium fertilizer, because this supports the consolidation of the leaf and cell tissue. The eucalyptus can thus optimally prepare for the upcoming winter. From August, the nutrient supply is slowly stopped so that the eucalyptus can go into the resting phase.
Promote budding
In early spring, pruning measures are taken, because this promotes leaf shoots and the eucalyptus develops dense foliage. The blue gum tree (Eucalyptus globulus) develops silver-gray leaves that are particularly aesthetic on the young shoots. Such species can be pruned back more in spring so that the fresh foliage comes into its own. The average growth per year for a eucalyptus is 40 centimeters. Lush trees can also be pruned in autumn. How to Properly Prune the Tree:
- Remove crooked twigs or unsightly branches
- Cutting back to thicker leading branches is possible
- Shoots are cut back to two to three buds
- Brush larger wounds with lacquer balm
Repot in good time
Eucalyptus trees quickly grow over your head, so they have to be repotted up to twice a year if living conditions are optimal. This means that eucalyptus species are only suitable for cultivation in the tub for a few years. The woods
Winter protection outdoors
Many eucalyptus species are sold as frost-hardy in the trade, but can only tolerate low temperatures. In Germany, only those species are planted outdoors that do not feel comfortable in the tub because of their size. While the woody plants survive in mild winter regions without winter protection, outside these zones they should be well protected from frost. Eucalyptus trees are not adapted to winter temperatures. In winter sun in combination with frost, they easily get cracks on the trunk. If the ground freezes, there is a risk of dehydration. If you cannot overwinter the eucalyptus indoors, you should protect the tree accordingly:
- Cover the substrate with a thick layer of mulch
- Wrap burlap or reed mats around the trunk
- Cover branches with transparent garden fleece
Avoid winter damage
So that you can enjoy the eucalyptus tree for a long time, you should overwinter the plant in a frost-free area. Place the bucket in a light-flooded room with temperatures between five and ten degrees Celsius. Eucalyptus is evergreen and retains its foliage even in winter, so the wood also needs light during the cold season. Before the winter break begins, you should trim the tips back slightly.
Note: If you overwinter the wood in a warmer place, you need to adjust the care and water it more often.
Adjust humidity
Because of its strong smelling essential oils, the eucalyptus tree is extremely resistant to diseases and pests. If the wood is in a heated room in winter, aphids will find optimal living conditions in the dry microclimate. They mainly colonize the freshly sprouting leaves and suck the sap from the tissue. The pests leave sticky secretions that are known as honeydew and represent an ideal breeding ground for sooty mildew. To prevent pest infestation, you should place a bowl of water on the heater. This will increase the humidity in the room, which aphids do not like. If the sucking insects have spread anyway, you can easily fight them at an early stage:
- Spray the plant with a hard jet of water
- Spray a solution of rapeseed oil and water on the aphids
- Wipe the underside of the leaves with a cloth