From the mild climate of Central and South America, the star flower found its way into our garden and onto the balcony. In view of this origin, the question of the winter hardiness of the enchanting spring and summer flower is obvious. Read here about the frost hardiness. This is how hibernation succeeds.
The star flower is used to mild winters and does not know any sub-zero temperatures
Starflower is conditionally hardy
In their natural habitat, starflowers have not learned to defy freezing temperatures. If the thermometer in the winter garden falls below freezing every year, the tuber cannot survive in the ground. Even in regions with mild winters, the planting site should be thickly piled with leaves and brushwood before the cold season so that the bulbs will sprout again next spring.
Tips for an undamaged hibernation
So that the star flower repeats its blossoming magic in the bed next summer, we recommend these measures for a healthy overwintering:
- Stop fertilizing from July and reduce the amount of irrigation water
- In autumn, dig the bulbs out of the ground with a digging fork
- Cut off the dead flower stalks
- Tap off the soil or wipe it off with a brush, but do not wash because of the risk of rotting
Allow the tubers to air dry for a few more days. Only then are they placed in a cool, dark room. The star flower bulbs are stored dry on a grating or wrapped in sand at temperatures between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius. It is an advantage if you turn the tubers from time to time to check for rot and pests at the same time.
Also put in the pot
Cultivated in pots and balcony boxes, starflowers are not protected from frost damage. If there is enough space available, the onions can be put in together with the container. Cut the dead stems down to the ground. In the dry substrate, the plants overwinter frost-free and in the dark.
tips
Due to the low frost tolerance, the planting time of star flower bulbs begins in April at the earliest. Plant the tubers 5 to 10 cm deep in well-drained soil in a sunny, warm location. Arranged in small tuffs at a distance of 5 cm, the delicate flowers are impressively presented. Care is limited to regular watering, fertilizing and cleaning out withered flower heads.