On 5/4/2008 1:35 PM, tuck44 wrote:
I live in bristol uk I have a bottle brush plant that has flowered well
in the last 2years but now looks as if it could have been frost damaged
as all the tips of last years flowers have gone brown although the
leaves are still green. Should I prune the tips or what other treatment
should i use ?

Is your bottle brush Callistemon or Melaleuca? Both are in the myrtle
family and are native to Australia.

The flowers on Callistemon generally last only one season, so last
year's flowers should already be history. Callistemon can be pruned
severely, especially now before summer comes. However, prune only to
above green foliage; pruning below the lowest green leaf may cause the
entire branch to die (similar to pruning lavender). Pruning is not
really necessary except for aesthetic purposes or to remove deadwood.

I'm not familiar with the care of Melaleuca. However, I know that it is
considered an invasive pest in Florida.

--
David E. Ross
Climate: California Mediterranean
Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean
influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)
Gardening pages at http://www.rossde.com/garden/