Pyracantha, also known as firethorn, is a thorny shrub that produces a bright red, orange, or yellow berry-like color. Grow the shrub by planting young pyracantha in your garden. When it has been planted long enough, this plant does not need much care.
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Part 1 of 3: Preparation
Step 1. Choose the right cultivar
Different cultivars have different appearances. Choose the one that best suits your taste.
- Some of the disease-resistant cultivars to choose from are Apache, Fiery Cascade, Mohave, Navaho, Pueblo, Rutgers, Shawnee, and Teton.
- Apache grows to a height of 1.5 m and a width of 1.8 m. Produces red berries
- Fiery Cascade grows to a height of 2.4 m and a width of 2.7 m. Produces orange berries that gradually turn red.
- Mohave can reach 3.7 m in height and width and produce orange-red berries.
- Tetons do well in cold climates and can grow to a height of 3.7 m and a width of 1.2 m. The resulting berry is golden yellow.
- Gnomes can withstand cold temperatures and produce orange berries, but are susceptible to disease. Gnomes can grow to a height of 1.8 m and a width of 2.4 m.
- Lowboy grows to a height of between 0.6 and 0.9 m but can spread further. Lowboy produces orange berries and is very weak if exposed to disease.
Step 2. Plan to plant in the fall or spring
Early to mid-fall is the best time to plant pyracantha, but if this season is over, the next best time to plant is in early spring.
Step 3. Choose a spot with full sun
Any type of pyracantha will grow very well in a place that receives full sun. However, this plant can also survive quite well if it is in a slightly closed place as well.
Avoid areas that are exposed to full western sun because the sun can be too strong
Step 4. Find an area with good drainage
Pyracantha can live in different types of soil, but the plant will do better if planted in soil that has good drainage.
- This plant is a good choice for soil that is not very fertile. Nutritious soil can cause the bush to become too shady. As a result, the plant becomes weak to diseases such as fire blight and produces little fruit.
- Keep in mind that the ideal soil pH for a pyracantha is between 5.5 and 7.5. In other words, the plant can grow well between neutral and acidic soils.
Step 5. Consider planting the plant near a wall or fence
Most cultivars tend to spread if not planted near a high surface. Planting shrubs near walls or fences can encourage tall growth.
- Pyracantha has dangerous spines. When the plant grows taller, rather than wide, the thorns are best avoided.
- When you decide to plant pyracantha near a wall, choose a planting site that is 30 to 40 cm from the wall itself. Soil directly next to the wall can become too dry.
- Avoid planting shrubs near painted walls, doors, or fences as thorns and prickly leaves can scratch the paint.
- It is also recommended that you do not plant near the foundation of a one-story building as these plants can grow too large and cause problems.
Part 2 of 3: Planting Pyracantha Shrubs
Step 1. Dig a hole twice as big as the root clump
Use a shovel to dig a hole that is twice the width of the container holding the pyracantha plant. The hole must have a depth equal to the height of the container.
Step 2. Slowly remove the plant from its container
Cut off the sides of the container holding the pyracantha. Use a shovel around the container to loosen any clumps of roots and soil, then gently remove the plant by pressing down from the bottom.
- When removing plants from disposable plastic containers, you can usually press in from the sides of the container to remove the plants.
- If you are moving the plant from a harder container, use a shovel by sliding one side of the container. When it is as deep as possible, tilt the handle from behind the shovel. The lever should help pry the root clump out.
Step 3. Move the plant into the planting hole
Place the pyracantha in the center of the planting hole. Fill the remaining part of the hole with soil.
Make sure that the bush is planted at the same depth as when the plant was in the previous container. If you surround the stem with too much soil, you can weaken or kill the plant
Step 4. Add a little organic fertilizer
Place a small amount of bone meal in the soil around the base of the plant. Use your hands or a small garden fork to dip it into the soil.
Bone meal is an organic fertilizer that adds phosphorus to the soil. Bone meal can encourage root growth and make it easier for plants to stand on their own. If you want to use another fertilizer, make sure you choose a fertilizer that provides a high dose of phosphorus
Step 5. Separate each plant in sufficient distance
If you choose to plant a lot of pyracantha bushes, you should space each bush about 60 to 90 cm.
Keep in mind that if you want to plant multiple rows of pyracantha to create a thicker hedge, each row should be 70 to 100 cm apart
Step 6. Water consistently while the plant is growing
Water your pyracantha regularly for the first month after you plant it. The plant will need more water than usual as it gets used to and thrives in garden soil.
- The soil should receive a little water every day. If there is no forecast of rain in one day on the weather forecast, give a little water to the soil in the morning.
- The soil doesn't have to be so wet that there's standing water, but it's important that you don't allow the soil to dry out completely at this time. The plant will become too stressed and the leaves will fall off.
Part 3 of 3: Pyracantha Care
Step 1. Provide enough water
Self-sustaining pyracantha can withstand moderate drought, but if the area where the plant is growing does not receive rain for more than a week, you will need to moisten the soil around the base of the plant with a garden hose. Provide enough water to fully wet the soil.
- If the leaves from the plant start to fall off, it may be because the plant is not receiving enough water.
- If the leaf color of the plant turns yellow or if the stem of the plant becomes soft, it may be because the plant is receiving too much water.
Step 2. You can adjust the growth of your plants if you want
If you plant your pyracantha near a wall or fence, you can encourage it to grow up and against the structure, instead of growing outward.
- Most pyracantha plants are quite hardy against a wall or fence without any assistance, but they still benefit from bonding.
- Use wire around the wall next to the pyracantha and tie the branches of the bush to this wire using twine or cable tie.
- If you are facing your plant against a fence or trellis, you can tie the branches directly to the structure using twine or cable tie.
Step 3. Spread the straw
Spread a 5 cm layer of organic straw around the base of each pyracantha bush. Straw can survive in damp places, thus preventing the roots of the plant from becoming weak due to very dry temperatures.
Straw also protects plants from freezing in winter
Step 4. Fertilize carefully
Fertilizer is usually not necessary when you are taking care of pyracantha. If you use fertilizers, nitrogen-rich fertilizers will do more harm to your plants.
- Nitrogen makes plants grow too many leaves. As a result, fruit yields are greatly reduced and the plant can be susceptible to disease.
- If you choose to fertilize your plants, use a balanced fertilizer containing equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium or use a fertilizer that has higher levels of phosphorus and potassium than nitrogen levels. Use once in early spring and a second time in late summer.
Step 5. Prune three times in one year
Technically, you can prune a pyracantha at any time of the year, but many gardeners choose to prune this shrub in mid-spring, between early and mid-fall, and between late fall and early winter.
- Wait for the plant to finish flowering in mid-spring to prune the new growth. Prune the new growth as you see fit, leaving at least a few flowers so the fruit will develop in the fall. Keep in mind that fruit will only develop on growth at least when the plant is one year old.
- Prune the leaves from the plant when the fruit develops between early and mid spring. Remove enough growth to expose the fruit to air and prevent it from rotting.
- Remove leaves and branches selectively in late fall to early winter to bring out the berry color the best.
- Whenever you prune your plants, you should never prune more than 1/3 of the plant.
Step 6. Treat plants for pests when necessary
Aphids, scales, tingidae, and mites are the four pests that are most likely to appear. If one of the four pests appears, treat the plant with the appropriate pesticide using the method indicated on the package.
If you plan to consume the fruit produced by pyracantha, it is highly recommended that you use organic pesticides, not chemical ones
Step 7. Watch for blight and scab
Blight is a disease caused by bacteria that can kill plants. Scab is a disease caused by a fungus that causes the leaves of the plant to fall off and make the color of the fruit dark and black, making it inedible.
- Avoiding disease is a more successful way than treating disease. Choose disease-resistant plants and maintain proper humidity and air levels.
- There is no drug that can stop the spread of the blight once it has developed.
- If a scab develops, you can try treating your plant with a fungicide. However, this treatment is not completely successful.
Tips
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You can use pyracantha berries in a variety of foods. The berry-like fruit of the pyracantha plant is approximately 6 mm in diameter and is usually red or reddish-orange in color. Collect them when the color has developed and use them as jams and sauces.
- Boil 450 g of pyracantha in cup (175 ml) water for 60 seconds.
- Press the juice, then add 5 ml of lemon juice and cover it with pectin powder.
- Bring to a boil, add cup (175 ml) of sugar and simmer for 60 seconds. Stir continuously.
- Pour the jam into a clean hot tin. Close the can and store the finished jam in the refrigerator.
Warning
- Keep in mind that consuming parts of the pyracantha plant can cause mild to moderate illness. The genus of the pyracantha plant is found in plants that produce hydrogen cyanide. Although the pyracantha plant does not usually contain this substance, people with weakened immune systems or weak lungs are still warned not to eat the fruit or other parts of the plant.
- Once you've planted pyracantha, it's best to leave it alone. The plant will weaken every time you plant it, so if you move it frequently, it will die quickly.
