By Beckonscot
United Kingdom 
I purchased a Callistemon Bottlebrush Plant in September
2014. When it arrived I was surprised at the shape as it
did not look like a bush, but was about 2ft. in high, quite slender, with green spikey like pine shoots. I planted it in a large container, and it looks exactly the same 6 months later. I t is still green but no movement anywhere. I do
not know what to do with it. Suggestions welcome. Thanks.
24 Mar, 2015
Answers
Totally disagree with both the above. We've grown them in pots for years and they turn into lovely bushes.
24 Mar, 2015
I have one grown from seed in a pot and it probably three or four years old now quite slow growing and hasn't flowered yet.
I think you have got to be quite patient with them?
24 Mar, 2015
Sorry to jump on the bandwagon but most varieties are not particularly hardy so unless you have a protected and sunny site, better grown in a container. Two other things; I would pinch the growing tip out to make the plant bushy and I would re-plant in a smaller container as some restriction of the roots and a feed of potash could encourage flowering. Do bare in mind that perhaps not much growth has taken place through the winter months.
24 Mar, 2015
It is not a plant suited to a pot, it would be better in the ground, the brush type flowers don't appear until the summer, they are the best part, it is not a conventional bush shape.
24 Mar, 2015