bottle brush plant

[samuelcat]

I bought my plant bare root before christmas. It is potted and in an unheated greenhouse. I have loosely wrapped it in bubblewrap to keep the chill out. Today I noticed that it is starting to look withered at the ends. Is it dying, what should i do?

[Dolly1308]

A bottle brush plant is a native Australian and I wouldn't have thought it would like being in an unheated greenhouse during the Winter.If you Google Bottle Brush Tree ,it may tell what you really should be doing with it .Sorry I can't help further.

[growbag]

Hi, I have tried growing bottle brush plants with no success. They are Australian natives and therefore don't really thrive in this country. Having said that, one of my friends grew one very successfully on her balcony on a very busy road in central London, with no particular care given to it. I think the fact it was against the warm wall of the flat, plus the balcony hardly got any rain, meant that it was more like its natural climate than my plants were. My bushes ended up dying from too much water, even though my garden is very dry, and I kept them in pots. I think if you are keen to grow one you need to try to replicate Australian conditions as much as possible, maybe try to keep it inside over winter if that's possible? Good luck!

[samuelcat]

thanks for that. im hoping now the warmer weather is here it may pick up.

[a-nigma]

I have had a bottle brush plant happily in our garden for several years, but it is in a sheltered area and is in the ground. We live in the W Midlands, so get plenty of moisture!
There are callistemons which are hardier than others. The yellow variety wouldn't last a winter outdoors in the UK. Mine has deep red flowers when in bloom. It has never been given any protection other than the yew hedge which is behind it.
I would just cut off the dried leaves and see what happens. Have you watered at all since buying it?

[samuelcat]

Hi a-nigma. I have watered it a little so the compost is damp but not wet. Last weekend i gave it a weak feed of seaweed extract. It doesnt look any better but not got any worse. It is a Captain Cook which I think has red flowers.