Flannel shrub, flannel bush, fremontodendron – care

Despite its floral beauty, the flannel bush has an ugly side. The delicate hairiness of its leaves dissolves moderate to severe skin irritations in sensitive people. Contact of the eyes with the foliage should be avoided at all costs, as painful inflammation can be the result.

location

The well-considered choice of location makes a significant contribution to the growth, flowering and vitality of a Fremontodendron. Look for a spot with the following light and temperature conditions:

• Sunny location with protection from the blazing midday sun
• Warm with temperatures of 15 degrees Celsius and higher
• Protected from cold drafts and pounding rain

In regions with mild winters, you can plant the flannel shrub under the protection of a southern wall. The flannel bush also develops an opulent habit when it is planted in a basic bed of the conservatory. In humus-rich, sandy-loamy soil, well drained and without waterlogging, the ornamental tree shows its strengths perfectly.

pour

Native to the sun-drenched regions of California, the flannel shrub has adapted to the occasional lack of rain for weeks. Short-term dry phases are therefore less of a problem for the exotic flower beauty than permanent wetness or even waterlogging. Therefore, water the flannel bush according to the motto ‘less is more’. The substrate surface should be several centimeters deep before you water the plant. Pour the water directly onto the tree disc and avoid sprinkling flowers and leaves from above. Administered early in the morning or late in the evening, a Fremontodendron will benefit most from humidity. If, on the other hand, water droplets get onto the pretty leaves and magnificent flowers when the sun is shining,

Fertilize

Fremontodendron’s nutritional requirements range from low to moderate. Don’t put unnecessary effort into this aspect of care. Spoiled with a liquid fertilizer for flowering shrubs every 14 days from April to September, the flannel bush is satisfied. Please note that fertilizers should never be applied to dry substrate to avoid salt burns to the delicate roots. If in doubt, first water a little with clear water and then mix the fertilizer into the irrigation water.

hibernate

After the first frosty night at the latest, it is time to put the flannel bush away. To avoid the risk of the bush shedding its leaves, initiate the move as soon as the mercury drops below 10 degrees Celsius. How to hibernate easily:

• The winter quarters are light and airy
• The temperatures are between 8 and 10 degrees Celsius
• Water only a little and do not fertilize

If your property is located in a wine-growing region with mild winters, you can experiment with overwintering a planted flannel bush outdoors. In this case, heap the tree disc thickly with leaf soil and pine twigs. The branches are given a hood made of breathable garden fleece or are wrapped with several layers of jute ribbon. Although the flannel bush sheds its leaves completely, it sprout again diligently in spring. Frozen shoot tips are no problem, because you cut them off in February/March.

To cut

With the help of the scissors, you can influence a harmonious silhouette, vital growth and lush flowers. An annual shape and maintenance cut sets the course for the hoped-for compact and at the same time luxuriantly branched stature. How to properly handle the cut of a flannel swab:

• Pinch young plants repeatedly to encourage bushy branching
• Carry out an extensive pruning in late winter
• If necessary, shorten branches that are too long by up to two thirds
• Begin each cut just above an outward knot
• Thin out the shrub thoroughly and cut off dead wood at the base

Choose a frost-free day with overcast weather for the central shape and maintenance cut. The tool is freshly sharpened and disinfected. Wear long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and glasses to protect yourself from the poisonous hairs on the leaves.

repot

In the round of care measures, the timely repotting of a Fremontodendron plays a central role. Do the pruning in February/March and take this opportunity to take a closer look at the root ball in the bucket. If root strands grow out of the bottom opening or push up through the substrate surface, the time has come to switch to a larger planter. Proceed with these steps:

• The new bucket is 5-10 cm larger in diameter and has an opening in the bottom
• Lay shards of clay or pebbles over the water drain as drainage
• Fill in a high-quality potting soil halfway up
• Unpot the flannel bush and plant in the middle while maintaining the previous planting depth

Leave a pouring margin of 3-4 cm. Thanks to this prudent precaution, no water-substrate mixture spills onto the ground later. After pruning and repotting, the stressed plant can first recover from the exertion in a partially shaded location for 8 to 10 days before it takes its usual place in the sun.

pests

The hairiness of the leaves only partially protects the flannel bush from infestation with pests. The aphids, which are omnipresent in the garden, are unimpressed by the fine hairs and attack the plant in summer. Therefore, check the underside of the leaves regularly, as this is where the tiny lice settle first. Later, the green, brown or black pests spread across the tops of leaves and shoots to suck the life out of the fremontodendron. Use the following home remedies to counteract the invasion:

Soap solution
The classic household remedy consists of 1 liter of water mixed with 15 ml of liquid soft soap or curd soap and spirit. A drop of detergent serves as an emulsifier. Pour the mix into a hand spray and apply to the infected plant every 2-3 days until the aphids are gone.

Baking powder
In the advanced stage of infestation, the use of baking soda can be considered on strong plants. The following mixture should be tested on an inconspicuous area of ​​the flannel bush, as it really packs a punch. In 1 liter of water, add 2 tablespoons of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of white spirit and 1 dash of washing-up liquid. If a test run has shown that the mixture does not harm the foliage and shoots, treat the afflicted flannel bush at intervals of 3-4 days.

Diseases

There are two diseases that can affect the flannel bush. However, both problems only arise when the ornamental tree is weakened as a result of neglect in care.

Root rot
There are different types of fungi that are responsible for root rot. The usual suspects include Fusarium, Phytophthora or Pytium. These strike when the flannel bush is overwatered and over-fertilized with nitrogen. As a symptom, the roots turn rotten-brown, after which the shoots also change color. The result is stunted growth, no flowering and the entire shrub dies. In the early stages of infestation, pot the Fremontodendron, cut off diseased root strands and place it in fresh substrate. From now on, fertilize in a diluted concentration of no more than 50 percent and only water the flowering shrubs when the soil has dried well.

Powdery mildew
If a mealy-white patina spreads on the fluffy leaves, after which the foliage turns yellow-brown and falls off, powdery mildew is wreaking havoc on the flannel bush. There is no need to resort to chemical preparations to effectively combat this common fungal infection, as long as you have fresh milk in the fridge. Busy microorganisms cavort in it, attacking the fungal spores. In addition, the lecithin contained in milk counteracts mildew. How to make the home remedy and use it professionally:

• Mix 100 ml fresh milk (no UHT milk) in 900 ml water
• The addition of 1 squirt of dish soap ensures better adhesion to the foliage
• Apply the mixture to the leaves with the hand sprayer every 2-3 days

So that the flannel-soft leaves are not spoiled with limescale later, we recommend using decalcified tap water or collected rainwater.