cockspur thorn

Cockspur thorn plants should be watered when the soil is dry to the touch. During the summer months, they should be watered more frequently and deeply to prevent drought stress. During the cooler months, watering can be done less frequently. In general, when watering the cockspur thorn plant, about an inch of water should be applied at a time and allow the top 5 inches of soil to become dry before re-watering. This will help the plant establish a deep and extensive root system.

Cockspur Thorn (Crataegus Crus-galli) prefers its environment to contain bright sunlight. To ensure this plant thrives, it needs at least 6 hours per day of direct sunlight. To maintain optimal health, 8 to 10 hours of direct sunlight is recommended. Out of those 8 to 10 hours, it is best for the Cockspur Thorn to receive the majority of its daily light in the morning. This will help ensure that the plant's energy will be spent on photosynthesis during its most productive hours.

Pruning cockspur thorn should be done late in the winter or early in spring before growth begins, ideally once the branches have turn a grey-brown color. This is usually late February or early March. To prune cockspur thorn, simply remove dead or damaged branches and clear away suckers or any shoots growing up from the ground around the base of the plant. Prune off any crossing stems. When pruning, make sure to cut at an angle so water cannot sit on the cuts. Cockspur thorns should not be pruned too aggressively, as they may not regenerate. Pruning should be done with the goal of shaping the shrub, rather than reducing its size. Removing no more than 1/3 of the plant’s branches is recommended.