Temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius make the non-hardy miracle flower shiver. Since the Mirabilis jalapa thrives in its South American homeland for several years, it can overwinter unscathed under adequate conditions. This guide explains how to do it.

The miracle flower is dug up for the winter, but be careful: not too early!

Don't dig up tubers too early - Here's how to do it right

At the end of the flowering period, the miracle flower is far from retiring. Now she wants to transfer the remaining nutrients from the leaves to the tuber as an energy reserve for the next season. Therefore, only dig up the tubers when the foliage has completely yellowed. If temperatures regularly fall below 10 degrees Celsius at night, dig up the tubers and cut off the shoots and roots.

This is how the miracle flower gets through the cold season safely

Simply tap off the soil from the tubers you have dug up, as a spray of water could cause rot. How to overwinter the plants professionally:

  • The winter quarters are dark, with temperatures between 5 and a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius
  • Lay the magic flower bulbs side by side on a trellis or wooden shelf while they are dry
  • Alternatively wrap in a box in sand, sawdust or peat dust

Until the beginning of the planting season, turn the tubers every 2 weeks and check the epidermis for rot or pests. If the air in the room is very dry, spray the plants with a little soft water from time to time to prevent them from drying out.

tips

A lovingly cared for miracle flower develops a strong root system over the course of the season. Therefore, first plant the tubers in a pot with several openings in the bottom or a plant basket (11.99€) as used for pond plants. Only then do you put the miracle flower in the bed from mid-May. This trick makes autumn digging a lot easier.

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Vegetable garden