When elven mirrors bloom in balcony boxes and tubs, the gardener gets admiring looks over the garden fence. When it comes to floral opulence, Nemesia varieties are in a league of their own that other summer flowers rarely come close to. The following answers to frequently asked questions reveal what requirements the summer mass bloomers have to meet.

The Elfenspiegel is a delicate beauty that is often cultivated as a balcony plant

Plant elf mirrors correctly

If there is a chance for Elfenspiegel to spend cold spring nights indoors, plant the flowers in pots or window boxes as early as April. Alternatively, place Nemesia in the planter in mid/late May at the earliest. How to plant properly:

  • Lay shards of pottery over the floor openings as drainage
  • Spread an air- and water-permeable fleece over it
  • Fill in a first layer of high-quality, loose, humus-rich potting soil
  • Soak the potted root balls in lime-free water until no more air bubbles rise
  • Then pot the plants and place them in the tub or balcony box at a distance of 25-30 cm
  • Fill up with substrate to just below the lower leaves, press down and water

In the end, the young elf mirrors should be just as deep in the ground as they were in the growing container. A small pouring edge of 2 cm ensures that no substrate-water mixture spills over later.

care tips

The closer the site conditions are to the sunny, warm and sheltered specifications, the easier it is to take care of. This is how Nemesia will stay with you throughout the summer:

  • Water with soft water as soon as the substrate has dried
  • Fertilize liquid every 14 days from May to September
  • Rinse faded flowers as soon as possible
  • Cut back by a third at the end of the first flowering period for an autumn rebloom

Since the cultivation by sowing is so easy, the effort of overwintering with numerous imponderables is hardly worth it. If it breaks your heart to dispose of your magnificent elf mirrors in the fall, prune the plants back by two-thirds. Overwintering can be successful at a bright window seat at a constant 15-16 degrees Celsius. Water sparingly and do not fertilize.
Continue reading

Which location is suitable?

Pay special attention to the choice of location, because this is where an elf mirror turns out to be a bit tricky. These framework conditions should be given:

  • Sunny to partially shaded, warm position
  • Well protected from wind and rain, for example under an awning or an eaves
  • Temperatures not below 15 degrees Celsius and above 25 degrees Celsius
  • No cold draft

A west or east-facing balcony is a better location than a south-facing balcony, since full midday sun in summer can significantly impair the beauty of the flowers.
Continue reading

What soil does the plant need?

With a view to the high demands on the light and temperature conditions of the location, we recommend cultivation in pots or balcony boxes for the sensitive Elfenspiegel. Choose a good quality compost-based potting soil with a pH of 6.5. To create the desired permeability, add a few handfuls of expanded clay (19.73€) or lava granules. If you have a warm, sunny and sheltered bed in your garden, you can experiment with planting Nemesia. In normal, well-drained and loose, humus-rich soil, there are good prospects for a summer full of flowers.

What is the best planting time?

Since Elfenspiegel have difficulty getting going at temperatures below 15 degrees Celsius, the planting season begins at the end of May/beginning of June at the earliest. It is advantageous to harden off the young plants beforehand. To do this, place your mirrors on the warm, semi-shaded balcony during the day from the end of April/beginning of May and bring the planters back inside at night.

When is flowering time?

From June to August, Elfenspiegel transforms the balcony and terrace into a picturesque sea of blossoms. Take the time in early August to prune dead flower stalks, and in return the flowers will rush to rebloom until September. Interim cleaning during the flowering period not only preserves a well-groomed appearance. At the same time, this measure prevents energy-sapping seed formation and is rewarded with an increased willingness to flower.

Cutting elf mirrors correctly

It is your individual decision whether and to what extent you cut Nemesia. We have compiled all possible events for you here:

  • Young elven mirrors sharpen several times for a bushy and compact habit
  • Clean out wilted flower heads as soon as possible to prevent seed growth
  • Complete pruning of all faded stems at the end of July to encourage an autumn rebloom

If you are aiming for the exotic beauties to hibernate, cut the plant back by two thirds before putting it away.

Pour elf mirror

Regular watering is required in a sunny and rain-protected location. Check daily with your finger whether the substrate surface has dried. If the top 1-2 cm feel dry, pour soft water on the root disk. When the first drops run out of the bottom opening, the acute thirst is quenched. To avoid waterlogging, pour out a coaster after 10 minutes.

Fertilize Elfenspiegel correctly

A constant supply of nutrients provides the necessary energy for a lavishly blooming elf mirror. Fertilize the summer perpetual bloomer every 14 days from May to September with a mineral-organic liquid preparation. Alternatively, add a long-term fertilizer in the form of sticks, cones or granules to the potting soil in May and July. It is important to note that fertilizers should not be applied to dry substrate. If in doubt, first moisten the soil with clear water and then water again.

hibernate

The horticultural benchmark for the successful overwintering of Elfenspiegel is high. Based in South Africa and designed for a minimum temperature of 15 degrees Celsius, the experiment often ends in vain. If you want to take up the challenge, follow these steps:

  • Cut back the plant by two thirds before putting it away
  • Place in a bright window seat that is not in full sun, at a temperature of around 15 degrees Celsius
  • Water occasionally with soft water to keep the root ball from drying out
  • Do not apply fertilizer from October to April

Subject your winter guests to regular inspections for pest and fungal infestation. Affected plant parts should be cut off at the first symptoms.
Continue reading

Increase Elf Mirror

Propagation and cultivation of Elfenspiegel is excellent by sowing behind glass. Between February and April fill a seed tray or small pot with peat sand in a ratio of 2:1. Then sow the seeds thinly and sieve the light germs up to a maximum of 0.5 cm with sand or vermiculite. With constant temperatures between 14 and 16 degrees Celsius, keep the soil slightly moist with lime-free water. Within 2-3 weeks, the cotyledons break through the tender seed coat. Strong seedlings with more than 2 pairs of leaves are pricked out in individual pots and watered regularly but moderately until the beginning of the planting season on the bright, warm windowsill.

Is Elfenspiegel poisonous?

The enchanting fairy mirrors are ideally suited to transforming the family balcony into a summer fairy tale. Since the exotic flowers do not contain any harmful substances, they pose no danger to curious children or pets who nibble on everything.

Elf mirror does not bloom

If the longed-for flowers are still a long time coming in June, first put the site conditions to the test. Too little sunlight, temperatures below 15 degrees or a cold draft are the most common causes of the dilemma. A simple change of location can help in this case. If the light and temperature conditions are in the green range, check the water and nutrient balance. Substrate that is too wet or too dry and a lack of nutrients are common triggers for flowering not to occur.

brown leaves

Brown leaves do not necessarily indicate a drying plant. This damage is also a symptom of root rot due to waterlogging. To remedy an acute lack of water, immerse the root ball in lime-free water until no more air bubbles rise. If, on the other hand, you notice standing water, immediately repot the Elfenspiegel in fresh substrate. Then water only when the potting soil has dried well. Stop each watering process as soon as the first drops run out of the bottom opening.

Yellow leaves

Although the delicate foliage almost disappears under the dense bloom, yellow leaves indicate a deficiency. The use of hard tap water causes the lime content in the substrate to shoot up to undesirable levels. As a result, important nutrients such as iron and magnesium are fixed and no longer get into the plant pathways. Leaf chlorosis develops, which manifests itself in yellow leaves. Change the water supply to soft rainwater or decalcified tap water. In the short term, a special iron fertilizer from specialist retailers provides a balance.

Beautiful varieties

  • Angelart Orange: Extraordinarily floriferous Nemesia, which attracts everyone's attention with bright orange flowers; 30-50cm
  • Trio Mio: Colorful Elfenspiegel trio in white, red and yellow that brings floral momentum to the garden; 30-50cm
  • Feuerkönig: This hybrid impresses with carmine red blossom fireworks from June to September; 25-30cm
  • Compacta noble blue: The ideal summer flower for pots and window boxes with blue flowers; 20-25cm
  • Fairytale magic: Excellent mix of the most beautiful varieties for picturesque flower boxes (€16.99) and pretty bouquets; 25-30cm
  • Sonnenfee: Bright yellow balcony flower of the year 2011, broad bushy and robust even in beds; 30-50cm
  • Peach: Cream Nemesia with an orange lip and decorative purple veining; 25-30cm
  • Coconut: White-flowering premium variety with a spherical habit as the perfect complement to colorful varieties; 30-50cm
  • Floribunda: Wonderfully fragrant fairy mirror with violet-like flowers in light violet; 30-50cm

Category:

Indoor plants