If you are looking for an eye-catcher for the window sill, the zigzag shrub is the best choice. It is easy to care for and can even be cultivated as a bonsai.
The zigzag shrub (Corokia cotoneaster) has only been traded for a few years. But since day one, the houseplant has been making new friends every day. Because it attracts attention with its wild and bizarre growth. This is because the growth direction of the shoot axis changes after each leaf set. This is how true unique pieces are created at the flower window. Every indoor gardener's heart beats a little faster when the star-shaped yellow flowers appear.
Origin
The zigzag shrub belongs to the Escallonia family. The original home of the bizarre plants are the meadows and forests of New Zealand. In our latitudes, the plants have been on the market for about ten years. Since then, the zigzag shrub has developed into a real trend plant.
| Zigzag Shrub (Corokia Cotoneaster) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | Small shrub |
| Growth: | 100cm to 200cm |
| Growth: | 100cm to 200cm |
| Special feature: | bizarre growth |
| Location: | sunny to semi-shady |
| Floor: | sandy to loamy |
Is the zigzag shrub poisonous?
All parts of the plant are harmless to humans and pets. It does not contain any harmful substances. The red fruits are inedible, but also not poisonous.
Find the right location
The ideal location for the zigzag shrub is in full sun, because the plants need a lot of light. In summer, the plants can also move to the balcony or terrace. Since the shrubs are quite robust, they even tolerate light frosts. However, hobby gardeners should not challenge this.
Selecting the ideal substrate
The zigzag shrub usually thrives in conventional potting soil. You can improve soil permeability by adding sand, gravel and clay granules so that irrigation water can always drain off well. Waterlogging can damage the plant. ThereforeFor potted plants, it is advisable to put gravel or shards of pottery drainage in the bottom of the pot.
Repot zigzag bushes
Zigzag shrubs are sold in pots and therefore already have all the prerequisites to develop well as indoor or balcony plants. However, every two to three years it is time to repot the zigzag shrub. The best way to do this is as follows:
- Pot plant
- Remove root ball from soil
- Check root ball
- Replace planter
- Equip a larger planter with drainage
- Fill the planter with soil
- Insert zigzag bush in the middle
- Fill substrate
- Water the plant
- Cultivate zigzag bush as usual
In general, single planting is common. If you want the shrub to look bushier, you can put up to three plants in one pot. However, the result is thinner trunks. The growth appears tree-like.
Step by step instructions for sowing
If you want to grow zigzag shrubs yourself, you can also get seeds and sow them yourself. The best way to do this is as follows:
- Fill a shallow bowl with lukewarm water
- Add seeds
- Let the seeds soak for a day or two
- Provide planter
- Fill the planter with potting soil
- Loosen the substrate with sand
- Press seeds about one centimeter deep into the substrate
- Place the planter bright and warm
- Regularly slightly moisten the substrate
- Cover the planter with foil
You should air the foil cover daily, otherwise the seeds could become mouldy.
How to properly care for the zigzag bush
❍ Water the zigzag bush:
The zigzag shrub should never be too wet. So water carefully. There is nothing wrong with letting the surface dry occasionally. Waterlogging is to be avoided in any case. Watering is sporadic in winter.
❍ Fertilize zigzag bush:
Between spring and autumn, the zigzag shrub tolerates treatment with flower fertilizer every 14 days. Zigzag shrubs are not fertilized during flowering as this may cause the flowers to drop.
❍ Propagate zigzag bush:
Propagation can be by cuttings or sowing. Propagation from cuttings is a fairly reliable method. In the summer you can simply do this by cuttings about 20 centimeters longto cut. If the cuttings are cultivated under a foil cover at a soil temperature of 20 degrees, they usually grow well and can still form enough roots before winter.
❍ Winter zigzag bush:
The zigzag shrub should ideally spend the winter in a light and cool place indoors. Temperatures between five and ten degrees are ideal.
Cultivation as bonsai
The zigzag shrub grows slowly and tolerates pruning well. An ideal bonsai plant has thus been found. Mainly because you can cut the shrub at any time. It is possible to develop it into a cascade or broom bonsai. However, wiring is necessary for cascading bonsai. This is not a problem for experienced bonsai gardeners. Otherwise, you can do the following:
➭ Design cut:
First a design cut must be made. This cut brings the bonsai into shape. Some large branches are removed and the later appearance of the tree is defined.
➭ Maintenance cut:
The maintenance cut should then be carried out regularly. They remove the fresh shoots so that the tree does not grow taller and branches out well.
➭ Leaf trimming:
Leaf trimming removes the entire leaf in summer. The result is smaller leaves that go well with the bonsai's appearance.