How to Grow and Care for Firepower Nandina

Firepower nandina is a dwarf cultivar of heavenly bamboo (Nandina domestica) with lime-green foliage in the summer and bright red in the fall which lasts through the winter in mild climates. Its common name comes from the appearance of the stems, which are similar to bamboo canes, though Firepower nandina is not a bamboo. Firepower nandina grows best in temperate climates and withstands temperatures down to 10°F without damage. For optimal color display, the plant needs full sun but it also does well in the shade under trees,

The plant is toxic to humans and pets.

Firepower Nandina Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing the relatively low-maintenance Firepower nandina.

• Plant this shrub in full sun for the best foliage color.
• Place in acidic soil.
• Water young plants only. Established Firepower nandina requires little extra water.
• Fertilize regularly to boost foliage color.

Warning

Heavenly bamboo has been classified as an invasive species by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in some southeastern states.

Light

Firepower nandina needs full sun for superior foliage color. The only exception is at the upper end of its zone range (zone 9), where the plant benefits from receiving some afternoon shade.

Soil

This plant is adaptable to most soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5.

Water

Water young plants sufficiently to get them established. Once mature, the shrub is fairly drought-tolerant but does better with supplemental watering during dry spells in the summer.

Temperature and Humidity

Firepower nandina is a shrub for warmer climates that does not tolerate extremes in temperature or humidity. It starts dropping its leaves at temperatures below 10°F.

Fertilizer

Fertilize your Firepower nandina regularly to promote optimal foliage color. Use a general-purpose fertilizer meant for shrubs. Apply the fertilizer once in early spring and again in early summer.

Types of Firepower Nandina

While Firepower nandina fits into small spaces, it lacks the red berries that are a major selling point of other, larger cultivars of heavenly bamboo such as the following:

• Nandina domestica 'Moyer's Red': This is a cultivar that grows 4 to 6 feet tall and wide with light-pink blooms.
• Nandina domestica 'Richmond':The cultivar grows 5 feet tall and wide. It is a particularly good berry producer.
• Nandina domestica 'Gulfstream': The cultivar grows 3 feet tall and wide and has coppery foliage and orange tints in the spring, bluish-green foliage in the summer, and reddish-orange foliage in the fall.

Pruning

Like all heavenly bamboo. Firepower nandina looks best when you let it grow to its natural form. Just prune off any brown leaves or dead branches.

Propagating Firepower Nandina

Because Firepower nandina is a cultivar, propagating it from seed won't produce a plant that is true to the parent. Therefore growing it from seed is not recommended. Heavenly bamboo is most readily propagated through cuttings. Both softwood (new growth) and semi-hardwood cuttings work for propagating heavenly bamboo.

To take a softwood cutting in the summer, follow these steps:

1. Cut the stem of a heavenly bamboo plant where the newest growth begins. There is often a noticeable difference between last year’s growth and the current year’s growth. The stem should be soft and green.
2. Dip the end of the cutting in arooting hormone.
3. Plant the cutting in a container filled with damp potting mix.
4. Keep the soil moist until roots start to grow..

Semi-hardwood cuttings are best taken in the summer or early fall. Semi-hardwood is the part of the stem that is partially, but not fully mature. Take these steps:

1. Cut part of the cane that is relatively firm but still flexible enough to bend.
2. Dip the end of the cutting in rooting hormone.
3. Place the cutting in a container filled with damp potting mix.
4. Cover the container with plastic wrap to keep in the humidity until roots start to grow.
   

Potting and Repotting Firepower Nandina

If you are looking to start acontainer garden, heavenly bamboo is an excellent choice, especially if you live in a region with cold winters.

Plant Firepower nandina in potting mix in a container large enough to accommodate the entire root system plus about 6 inches to allow for future growth. Make sure the pot has good drainage holes. Remember to keep the soil consistently moist. Heavenly bamboo will need to be watered more frequently when grown in a container versus a garden.

When grown in a container, a heavenly bamboo plant should only need repotting every two to three years. Move the plant to a container one size larger than its current pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.

Overwintering

When grown in garden soil within its hardiness range, Firepower nandina does not require any winter protection. Potted plants, however, might need winterization if you are at the lower range of the plant's hardiness range. Wrap the container in burlap and bubble wrap so the roots don't suffer cold injury during freezing temperatures.

In cold climates, bring the plant inside after the first fall frosts and keep it in a bright spot for overwintering.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

This shrub is relatively free of pest and disease problems. However, Firepower nandina is prone to attacks by the cottony cushion scale,mealybugs, as well as whiteflies,but it usually withstands a low infestation without the use of pesticides.

A potential plant disease is bacterialleaf scorch, which is spread by insects feeding on the plant, such as spittlebugs, treehoppers, and leafhoppers. Infected plants develop dead tissue along the leaf edges, making them look burned. Unfortunately, there is no cure and it's best to remove and discard the plant.

Common Problems With Firepower Nandina

Although there's little necessary maintenance for this plant, keep an eye out for these issues:

Leaf Drop

The plant will drop its leaves if it has been exposed to an extended period of cold temperatures. However, sometimes leaf drop is normal as the plant prepares for new growth in the spring. Leaf drop does not mean the plant is dead.

Brown Leaves

In the worst case, the brown leaves on your Firepower nandina are caused by bacterial leaf scorch. The leaves may also turn brown because of intense sun exposure.

Pale Leaves

The plant is suffering from chlorosis because the soil is too alkaline. Amend the soil to make it more acidic, either by adding sulfur, acid fertilizer, or a host of other ways but watch out that plants aren't burned in the process.

From: thespruce