How to maintain a potted cypress?

A cypress is one of the trees with an elegant and broad habit that beautifies wherever it is placed. But even though it’s more of a ground plant, that doesn’t mean you can’t have a container cypress.

Now well, What care do you need in this case? Then, we will help you have a cypress at home, in a pot, and give it all the care it needs to be healthy and grow well. You dare?

How is the cypress

First of all, we want to tell you about the cypresses, or rather the sex Cupressus, to which a cypress belongs. It is trees that can easily reach 20 meters in height. It is persistent and that is why it is one of the most popular for large gardens.

However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be kept in a jar. In fact yes because it can adapt to it. At the moment you can find cypresses in Asia, Africa, New Zealand… which will make you think that it is widespread, as well as it is a species that It adapts very well to all climates and terrains.

Physically we can say of her that she has a cylindrical shape. It consists of a trunk from which come out short branches that rise upwards creating what would be its shape and crown. As for the leaves, in addition to being perennial, they are small and abundant, green in color.

This tree also flowers. And you will know it because, when it does, gives a few cones that grow on the branches. They are as small as a nut and have a small stinger between their scales. At first they are green but when mature they are reddish brown. You may not know it but these fruits have many usesfor example to treat skin problems, improve blood circulation or as antivirals.

How to Care for a Potted Cypress

Now that you know what cypress looks like, the next step to buying one that will last you for years is to get to know this plant’s needs in depth. In general we can tell you that it is not difficult to do, quite the contrary, but it is practical that you know what is best for him to be able to give it to him and that he does not fall sick or don’t die.

location and lighting

The normal location for a cypress is outdoors, and in the case of a potted cypress, place it, if possible, outside the house. It can be a terrace, a garden, etc. That doesn’t mean he can’t be inside. If it’s small, you might get it, but be careful with heating, air conditioning, drafts, etc.

Regarding the lighting the plant needs a lot of sun. This is important because it must have at least 5 hours of direct sunlight per day for it to develop properly. Even when potted, it needs light to grow and be healthy. Try placing it in a place where it receives direct sun and plenty of light at all possible times.

Temperature

We have already told you this, but we will tell you again that a cypress tree is very resistant. So much so that, considering the temperature is able to hold up to 10 below zero or even more. At the other extreme, they also hold up very well to heat. You won’t have any problems with this tree in your home.

soil and pot

If you are going to take care of a potted cypress, then these two things we are talking about, the soil or substrate and the pot, are very important. Let’s start with the field. You want to make sure it’s as nutritious as possible. if you can make one mix with compost, peat, sand, clay, perlite… it would be the best because for a pot you give it all the nutrients it may need (although it adapts to everything, when you have it in a small space it is better to bet on a quality substrate).

The theme of the pot will already depend on the size of the cypress. In the market you can buy them in many sizes. You must ensure that have enough space to develop roots and transplant them whenever you see them appear You are abundantly through the holes (if only one or two roots appear, it is not the most appropriate). In fact, as it grows, you may need bigger and bigger pots, even more than 100 liters of soil. When it is excessive, you may need to consider planting it out or trimming the roots to keep it at the desired size.

Irrigation

Cypresses are trees that they prefer little water to too moist soil because this only causes the appearance of fungus and with it problems for the plant to continue. Thus, in pots, we advise you to water it only once a week (in summer) and every two or three weeks in winter.

Depending on the climate you are in, these scales should be suitable for your daily life. It is possible that if the summer is not very hot you will not have to water it as much.

Cut

Pruning when the cypress is small will hardly need it. Indeed, normally, as its pot growth is more controlled, you will have no trouble forgetting it. However, you may need prune it when the branches emerge from the desired formation. In this case, as long as it is not too large a size, you can do it at any time of the year.

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We recommend that you, being in a pot, give it a little pay at least once a month to meet your needs.

Plagues and diseases

The cypress has problems with fungi which can cause different diseases. Some of the best known are the cypress cancer (also known as chancre), phomopsis, root rot, dry cypress…

In the case of pests, pay attention to the black aphids and bark beetles.

Multiplication

Cypress can be reproduced by various methods. The usual is by seedbut in reality it can also be done by grafting or, in the case of some species, by cuttings.

Now, although it grows quickly (it is said that in the Mediterranean climate they are able to grow about 45 centimeters per year), it is necessary to take patience to move forward.

Now you know enough to encourage you to have a potted cypress. Do you have any doubts? Ask us!