- Does this perennial tolerate drought?
- Which fertilizers are suitable and must be fertilized?
- Does the knapweed need pruning?
Knapweed - while the wild forms have specialized in blue to violet-blue flowers, the cultivated forms even show white and yellow flowers. Whichever variant you have chosen: In order to keep this perennial flowering happily at its location, care should not be neglected!
The knapweed should be watered regularly
Does this perennial tolerate drought?
The knapweed is not a friend of dry seasons. When it comes to heat in summer or prolonged periods of drought, it thirsts and needs water. Water them regularly, preferably with rainwater (does not like lime). Watering is not only important for beautiful buds, but also protects the plant from weakness and consequent infestation with pests and diseases.
The soil should be kept moist, even and moderate. This is especially true for knapweeds in tubs, for example on the balcony. Make sure the drainage is adequate to prevent waterlogging and water every few days!
Which fertilizers are suitable and must be fertilized?
If the knapweed is planted in a substrate enriched with compost, it can do without fertilizer for a long time. Then fertilizer application is not absolutely necessary in the first two years. If this perennial is in a pot, however, it should be supplied with a conventional liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every 2 weeks during its growing season.
Outdoor knapweeds appreciate a spring fertilizer and a second annual fertilizer in the fall. The following are suitable for fertilizing:
- compost
- rotted horse manure
- horn shavings
- nettle manure
- comfrey manure
- blue grain
Does the knapweed need pruning?
- Cutting off old flowers has a positive effect on the formation of new flowers
- cut down radically in spring or autumn
- Remove old, withered plant parts regularly
- do not cut too early in autumn (roots suck strength from the leaves and stems)
- Consequence of the heavy pruning: Better budding
tips
Pests usually do not infest the knapweed. In damp weather, however, downy mildew can play a nasty role. If you live in a rather humid region, prevent this by fertilizing a decoction of field horsetail!