Witches Broom Plant Care – A Maintenance Guide For Luscious Broom Plants

In this Witches Broom Plant Care guide, you will learn about the essential tips to having a thriving garden. Thinking of growing a broom plant and wondering about its care and maintenance factor? Well, look no further! In this article, we go through the different procedures and some facts about broom plants that have been affected by these diseases.

So, why is it referred to as witches broom? Well, when it comes to conifers and deciduous trees, you will find that if they are affected by the disease, the witches broom effect occurs. This is a black broom-like appearance with proliferated shoots and stumped internodes. They appear as a bushed black broom or a round dwarfed plant.

When growing broom plants, there are several things to consider to ensure a flourishing garden. These include the perfect spot to plant them, the type of soil needed for them to thrive, and the plant care knowledge to meet their needs and demands. First, let’s start with a fun fact!

Did you know that a broom plant is a dwarf selection of Elderberry plants, does not grow more than forty-five centimeters tall, and does not produce any fruit? So, there’s no need for culinary trials here. However, the good news is that they are unusual and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Dwarf cultivars are a result of propagating witches broom plants in confers.

Let’s discuss this plant further and see if they are a suitable fit for your garden and lifestyle when given the best care.

Things To Consider When Planting Brooms

Broom plants are great to have as part of your garden or landscape; however, they are prone to a number of diseases and infections that turn them into witches brooms. Therefore, you must have a fair knowledge of witches broom plant care when growing these eye-catching plants.

Although broom plants don’t mind a bit of shade, to thrive and reach their leafy lusciousness, full sunlight and enough space to grow are a must. Also, before planting them, it is important to establish the purpose for wanting these plants in your home or garden.

If it’s to add a casual hedge or to demarcate an area, it’s best to allow space for the shrub to sprawl. If it’s to add that pretty flair to your rock garden, you should leave at least 15cms between each plant to flaunt their beauty. These shurbs also need lots of water to stay lush and strive so they usually steal some from their leafy neighbors!

You also need to consider that these plants are prone to disease that can occurs because of infections caused by dwarfed misltoe, and infestation of insects, an incorrect environment, or generic mutations. These infections cause the terminal bud from the shoots to die. However, the witches broom effect caused by generic mutations are usually stable and are therfore propagated as dwarf cultivars.

What Soil is Best for Broom Plants?

Soil is amongst the most essential aspects when growing edible and non edible plants. This is because it contains nutrients that your plant needs to stay healthy and happy. Aside from that, provinding you plants with an enriching environment will ensure that they reach their full potential as it is a huge part of the witches broom plant care strategy.

The soil that is best for witches broom plants is clay soil. This plant needs a wet yet high draining environment to thrive. While it is adaptable to a wide variety of soil, including rocky soil, the optimum one for this plant is clay soil that should be organic rich. Clay soil has a high hummus content which gives the broom plant all the nutrients it requires.

Also, this type of soil works in harmony with water. The soil swells and can double its texture and thickness when wet. This is perfect for a plant that needs full sunlight and regular water to thrive. It is important to note, however, than waterlogged clay soil can become detrimental to the roots. This happens if the soil doesnt drain well which will reduce oxygen uptake resulting in dried out roots. Click on the video to learn more about the witches broom effect. 

How To Prune Witches Broom Plants?

Pruning witches broom plants are fairly easy. All you need are the right tools and a little time. It is also recommended for witches broom plant care and should be done at the end of winter or the start of the spring season for best results.

Also, these plants should not be trimmed in the first year of growth as this could stump their growth. Seeing that they are slow growing, this step will also help regain their health. Have a look at the tips below before you start.

To prune, you will need:

1. A good pair of garden gloves to protect your hands against, cuts, snags, and insect bites.
2. A pair of good secateurs also known as garden shears. These have a scissor-like motion and should be used with caution.
3. A pair of security goggles to prevent any injury to the eyes. Clipping off branches may have splinters flying in the air so take caution.
4. Establishing the dry stems and branches is all you need to do before starting.
5. Thereafter, cut them back. This cut should be about 10cm off the branch.
5. Should you find your shrub too dry, you may cut back right to the ground and a rejuvenated tree will grow back.

Remember this is a self-pollinating plant!

Essential Witches Broom Plant Care Tips

The proper care and maintenance for your plants will afford you a lush landscape that will be pleasing to the eyes of the passerby, your visitors, and most especially yourself.

Therefore, witches broom plant care is encouraged to ensure that your plants grow well. Listed below are a few essential plant care tips that you should take note of.

Care Tips:

Light – Light, or more specifically sunlight is essential for witches’ broom plants. It will allow the plant to regain its growth and maintain its vibrant leaf color. These plants sprawl and the amount of sunlight it receives is imperative for them to reach their best level of growth.

Soil – Good quality clay soil is a must. While clay soil is wet soil, it drains well and is what the plant needs to revive itself and thrive. Clay soil has the correct amount of nutrients the plant needs.

Water – It is essential to keep the soil wet. When watering your plant, make sure you evenly distribute the water over the soil every second day or when the top 3 centimeters are dry.

Fertilizer – Fertilizing the plant once at the start of spring and once at the start of summer will ensure a healthy plant as well as healthy soil. Try to use a balanced fertilizer that has equal parts of each component in it.

Spacing – Ensure there are enough spaces between this plant and others to promote good regulation and circulation. It is advised that other plants are kept approximately 15 centimeters away from the main bush stems of the witches’ broom plant.

Conclusion

Looking back at things to consider when planting a broom plant, you will find that it is relatively easy to maintain it. All you need to do is ensure the planting spot you choose has the right elements for growing your plant in the best environment.

Whether it is to mark off a section of your garden or to add to the visual appeal of your outdoor space, this plant is the perfect addition. Although it needs water regularly, there isn’t much pruning to do monthly which makes it an excellent, fuss-free choice. However, if the witches’ broom effect occurs then following the pruning steps in this guide is essential for regrowth.

These unusual plants will take your garden to the next level and give it the appeal of a little rainforest when planted near rockery. Implementing the best witches broom plant care tips will afford you a thriving lush garden for years to come as we have given you all the information you need to nurse your plant back to health. Click on the link to learn more about the different species of broom plants. 

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