Waratah - can it be pruned ?

20 years ago

Hi guys

I have a Waratah that was burnt on the hot January 1st we had this year. It also has borer damage, so is looking a bit stragley.

Would it be okay to prune the bush, and take off the damaged bits that havent regenerated ?

I am thinking that this is okay to do to Proteacea, but I just thought I would ask all you experts before I get out the secatuers.

Many thanks fellow Aussie Native enthusiasts.

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Comments (6)

roysta
20 years ago
Hi Popi
I have a waratah that got hammered on New Year's Day as well.
It's looked better but will come good between now and flowering time in October.
The answer to your question is yes, they can be pruned, have done so several times and it comes back bushier.

Cheers
Roy
aeor
20 years ago
Excellent question Popi, which has answered mine as the same thing exactly happened to my treasured plant (of which I now have three_. To the forum... is it wise to dead head the flowers? One of mine has bloomed and I'm not sure how to deal with the kaput flower. IT does sound like I should just cut it off.
cheers
A
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I've never tried moving waratahs but did try a small grevillea once. It had only been planted for a couple of months but had to be moved because of unexpected earthworks. The plant didn't survive. Apparently many natives don't like their roots disturbed at all. If you had to move it try and take as much soil with it as you can. I'm not sure about pruning it back first though. When I learnt about horticulture years ago, we were told to prune back the plant but a few years ago I read somewhere that the latest research shows that plants draw food reserves from the leaves to replace any roots that were lost, so pruning the plant is depriving it of food. I don't know if this has since been found true or not. Someone else may know. Also some natives can resent pruning. If you want to prune, maybe just a light trimming? Keep it watered but don't overdo it as they don't like sitting in water. If the weather is hot, maybe shade it with temporary shadecloth shelter. If you move it let us know how the plant goes.
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Robert_NSW
20 years ago
Waratahs can be regularly cut back a fair bit if the plant is mature. I cut mine back by at least a third every two years or so. Some of the older stems I cut back to the lignotuber. I have seen them cut back even more severely.
popi_gw
Original Author
20 years ago
Thanks chaps, I will prune away, now and look forward to my next flowers in the spring.

What sort of soil is your Waratah growing in ?

Popi
aeor
20 years ago
Hi Popi
I'm not sure who you were aiming your question, but my waratah is growing in very poor soil. (as is most of my garden) It's sandy , not very deep on top of a sandstone slope.
cheers
Andrea
roysta
20 years ago
My waratah is in a raised bed with the clay base mixed with sand and loamy soil.

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Waratah - can it be pruned ?

Comments (6)

roysta

aeor

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Waratah - can it be pruned ?

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