In order for the green privacy screen to remain opaque, the right fertilization is required. Here you can find out what you should consider when fertilizing cypresses.
Fast growth, lush greenery - this speaks for a high nutrient requirement. Cypress (Cupressus) needs food to grow. However, cypress trees are evergreen and, unlike deciduous trees, do not shed their leaves. Therefore, they do not have to be constantly fertilized. We show you how to find the right balance between an unnecessary amount of fertilizer and a lack of nutrients.
Why should you fertilize cypresses?
Fertilization doesn't just kind of feed the cypress with nutrients. Each ingredient has its own function for the plant. Potassium, for example, can increase cold tolerance at the right time. Magnesium, on the other hand, is essential for the formation of the pigment chlorophyll, which is so important for photosynthesis and makes the plant green. But the fertilizer is not only important for the plant in the direct sense. The soil is also strongly influenced by this. The choice of fertilizer has a significant effect on soil structure and soil fertility. And the pH value in particular plays a decisive role here. Learn how to choose and apply the right fertilizer for your cypress tree below.
When are cypresses fertilized?
As a representative of conifers, cypresses do not need much fertilizer in principle. However, species such as the fast-growing Leyland cypress have a high nutrient requirement. A long-term fertilization in the spring is appropriate here. Potted plants also need a little care, because there are no new sources of nutrients in the pot for the roots to tap into if the old sources are used up. Long-term fertilization at the beginning of the growing season is also recommended here. However, you should stop fertilizing by the beginning of September at the latest so that the plant can mature before winter.
To strengthen the plant's resistance to cold and frost, give the plant a dose of potassium in September or October.
With what shouldto fertilize cypresses?
How much cypress should be fertilized depends not only on their species and how they are kept in the bucket, but also on the condition of the soil. In principle, there are sufficient nutrients in loamy soils and new nutrients can also be stored well with fertilization. Therefore, frequent fertilizing does not bring any added value here. In sandy subsoil, on the other hand, there is usually a lack of nutrients and mineral fertilizers in particular are quickly washed out again. Organic fertilizers and long-term fertilizers offer the advantage that the nutrients are present in a bound form and are only gradually released. In addition, the addition of organic material promotes the formation of humus, which also increases the nutrient and water storage capacity of the soil. In this way you improve soil fertility.
Fertilizing cypresses organically: instructions on how to proceed
The beauty of nature is that everything can be reused and there is no real waste. This is no different with organic waste. Stored correctly, it becomes excellent compost and thus the perfect nutrient supplier for cypresses. In spring you can work a good portion into the soil around the evergreen plant. This provides the plant with enough nutrients for the rest of the year.
Another handy representative of organic fertilizers is aged manure, such as some horse manure. If you have a garden yourself, but unfortunately no compost heap and no animals that produce manure suitable for fertilizer, then a biological slow-release fertilizer is a good idea. Our Plantura organic universal fertilizer is perfect for cypresses. It is a primarily organic fertilizer mixed with rock phosphate. This is of great importance for photosynthesis and also promotes the rooting of the plant. By mixing it with phosphorus, the fertilizer offers the optimal ratio of all important nutrients for your cypress.
In early spring, work about the filling of a 0.2 liter jar of slow-release fertilizer into the soil around the plant per plant. However, you should proceed very carefully, because cypresses are flat-rooted. If you loosen the soil too deeply when working it in, the roots can be damaged.
Cypress mineralfertilize: Epsom s alt and co.
If there is a lack of magnesium, cypresses can develop brown tips. The so-called Epsom s alt can help here. This consists of magnesium sulphate and refreshes the magnesium reserves in the soil. Especially in slightly acidic soils, which the cypress likes, magnesium is often difficult to obtain. In addition, Epsom s alt ensures that the soil remains in its slightly acidic pH environment. As a preventative against brown needles, a portion of Epsom s alt can be distributed every year before new growth. However, you should not overdo it here, because the soil should not acidify and an excess of magnesium is quickly washed out. In addition to the high risk of leaching, mineral fertilizers such as Epsom s alt have other risks to the environment. Mining and production are usually energy-intensive and not exactly resource-saving. In contrast to organic fertilisers, mineral fertilizers do not offer any advantages for soil organisms and therefore cannot contribute to long-term soil improvement. Magnesium is usually also sufficiently present in manure and compost and the pH value can be acidified by mulching with needle litter. Therefore, for the sake of the environment and your soil, it is better to use organic fertilizers if possible.
Fertilize cypresses with home remedies
Tried-and-tested household remedies can also be used to fertilize cypresses. The regular application of coffee grounds as fertilizer, for example, supplies the plants with nutrients and also slightly acidifies the soil. Various plant manures can also provide the plant with valuable nutrients if used regularly in May and June.
Fertilize cypresses at a glance:
- Long-term fertilization in spring
- Organic fertilization: Spread compost, manure or primarily organic Plantura organic universal fertilizer once a year
- Mineral fertilization: risk of leaching, if necessary fertilize about every four weeks until September or depot fertilization in spring
- Slightly acidic soil is preferred
We present other types of conifers for the garden in our special article.