- Is Echium wildpretii dependent on regular watering?
- How do you fertilize this plant?
- When and how is the pruning done?
- Are there specific diseases or pests that may play a role?
- Does this perennial need overwintering?
This extraordinary specimen of a viper's bugloss descends from the Canary Islands. The inflorescences are formed into elongated cones, stand proudly upright and the underlying foliage has a cactus-like appearance. How do you care for this exotic?
The Echium wildpretii is a remarkable perennial
Is Echium wildpretii dependent on regular watering?
Moderate watering at regular intervals is recommended for this perennial. Water at large intervals and tend to use smaller amounts. The heart of the plant should be kept dry at all costs. Therefore, only the root area is poured.
How do you fertilize this plant?
If Echium wildpretii is outdoors, it does not need to be fertilized at all. Poor soils are ideal for this barren soil loving plant. However, if you have this plant in a pot on the terrace or balcony, you should supply it with 0.2% cactus fertilizer every 2 weeks. The general rule here is: less is more.
When and how is the pruning done?
When this plant has faded, it is advisable to cut off the old inflorescence, right at the base between the leaves. If you don't do this, the plant invests a lot of energy in developing its seeds, which often costs it vitality.
Are there specific diseases or pests that may play a role?
This exotic species is largely uninteresting for pests. Rarely can spider mites appear in a pot culture at home and the room air is too dry. This plant is also not susceptible to diseases, unless care is extremely neglected or carried out incorrectly (too frequent watering, e.g. directly on the leaves).
Does this perennial need overwintering?
Echium wildpretii tolerates temperatures down to -5 °C. This means that the plant is not considered hardy in this country. If you want to enjoy it for several years, you need to overwinter it.
This is to be noted:
- Indoor overwintering is preferable
- choose a cool room (temperatures between 5 and 10 °C)
- Air the room regularly
- water little (about every 3 weeks)
- do not fertilize
- from April slowly get used to direct sunlight again
tips
If you fertilize Echium wildpretii too frequently and heavily, you will have to wait a long time for flowers. Instead of flowers, this plant then forms numerous leaves.