The enchanting fan flower makes a friendly contribution to maintenance by preening its blue and purple flower tendrils itself. This undemanding frugality allows us to easily get over the lack of winter hardiness of the Australian immigrant. Use precise answers to frequently asked questions to find out how uncomplicated the exotic Scaevola aemula is on the balcony and terrace.

The delicate fan flower is an enrichment for every balcony

Plant fan flowers correctly

Do not leave a freshly purchased fan flower in its pot, but plant it immediately in the bucket or balcony box. Use a high-quality potting soil as a substrate, which you can optimize with leaf compost and lava granules (€13.99). If rhododendron soil is readily available, add a handful or two to give the substrate the desired slightly acidic pH. Proceed with these steps:

  • Cover the bottom opening with potsherds for drainage
  • Spread an air- and water-permeable fleece over it so that the material does not muddy
  • Pour in a layer of substrate mix
  • Put the potted fan flowers in the soil at a distance of 20 cm and water them

Please make sure that the young plants are not buried deeper than the lower pair of leaves. Press the substrate lightly with your hands and use a soft irrigation water.

care tips

We don't see the low maintenance effort of their picturesque blossoms. In fact, the few cultivation practices can be counted on one hand:

  • When dry, water with soft water
  • Fertilize liquid every 14 days from April to August
  • Overcome a summer flowering break with a slight pruning
  • Cut the shoots and tendrils by half or two-thirds before storing
  • Water occasionally in bright winter quarters at 10-15 degrees Celsius

In addition to this basic program, repot the ornamental plant in early spring, provided that the previous planter is completely rooted.
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Which location is suitable?

Place the fan flower in a sunny to partially shaded location. The robust ornamental plant does not mind a windy location or a spot that is showered with summer rain. The central condition for a lush abundance of flowers is the observance of the minimum temperature of 12-15 degrees Celsius.

What soil does the plant need?

The fan flower wants a humus rich, well-drained soil. Therefore, choose a quality potting soil with a low peat content. Since the exotic beauty favors a slightly acidic pH value, enrich the substrate with leaf or coniferous compost and add some lava granules instead of sand.

When is flowering time?

The fan flower showcases its waterfall-like flower tendrils from May to October. You can save yourself the hassle of cleaning out the Goodenia plant, because the flower does it itself. In mid-season, when flowering dwindles, cut back the plant by a third or half. A fresh shoot then sets in, which lasts until autumn.

Cut the fan flower correctly

Although the fan flower cleans itself of withered flowers on its own, the scissors do not go unused. Cut back the shoots and tendrils by a third after the first 3 weeks in culture. This effort is rewarded with a particularly large number of flowers and rich branching. If the ornamental plant suddenly takes a break from flowering in summer, pruning it back by half gives it fresh energy for renewed budding. Then cut back Scaevola vigorously before moving to the winter quarters.

Water fan flower

Do not water your fan flower before the surface of the substrate has dried well. A quick finger test proves that there is actually a need for watering. Apply soft rainwater or decalcified tap water directly to the root disk. If the first drops run out of the bottom opening, the current water requirement is covered. Pour out a coaster after 10-15 minutes so that no waterlogging forms.

Fertilize fan flower properly

In terms of nutrient requirements, the fan flower proves to be modest. Apply a liquid fertilizer for ericaceous plants every 14 days from May to August. These preparations are tailored to the desire for a slightly acidic soil value. If you run a vermicompost on the balcony, spoil the plant every 2 weeks with organic worm tea.

hibernate

If the mercury falls below the 10-degree mark in autumn, the fan flower moves to its winter quarters. Cut the tendrils by two-thirds beforehand and remove withered foliage. In a bright location at 10-15 degrees Celsius, water the evergreen plant from time to time, because the root ball should never dry out. From September to March, do not fertilize to avoid premature budding.
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Multiply fan flower

With regard to propagation, the fan flower proves to be somewhat unruly. The attempt at sowing is rarely crowned with success. Moreover, the propagation of cuttings rarely runs smoothly. If you want to dare the experiment, proceed as follows:

  • In early summer, cut off non-flowering head cuttings that are 5-7 cm long
  • Defoliate except for a pair of leaves at the top and dip in rooting powder
  • Place in small pots filled with lean growth substrate
  • Keep constantly slightly moist in a heatable mini greenhouse (7.95€) at 20-22 degrees Celsius

To prevent mold from forming in the warm, humid microclimate, ventilate the propagation box extensively every day. A fresh shoot signals that the rooting is successful.

How do I plant correctly?

If the fan flower has survived the winter well, repotting it in fresh substrate has a vitalizing effect on the plant. Of course, this measure is only absolutely necessary when the previous planter is completely rooted. In March/April, unpot the Scaevola and shake off the used soil. In the new pot, place a shard of pottery over the bottom opening to fill in a first layer of potting soil. Press a hollow in it with your fist. Place the plant in the fresh soil while maintaining the previous planting depth and water with soft water. Your exotic beauty can recover from this stress at the partially shaded, warm window seat.

Beautiful varieties

  • Diamond: Beautiful, ball-shaped variety whose white flowers are decorated with a delicate blue border
  • Topaz Pink: Premium variety with extra large flowers in bright pink and tendrils up to 60 cm long
  • Top poT White: Elegant fan flower whose white flowers contrast beautifully with colored species
  • Royal blue: Royal floral decoration for the balcony with a bright blue waterfall of flowers
  • Blue Wonder: Magnificent Scaevola with purple-blue flowers over emerald green foliage

Category:

Indoor plants