The columbine is rightly considered undemanding and easy to care for. However, under certain circumstances, such as when growing in pots, during dry periods and in the event of disease, you cannot avoid caring for the columbine if you want to continue to enjoy it.

The columbine is considered an easy-care plant that is not very susceptible to pests

Does the columbine have to be watered?

If the columbine is in the pot, it should be watered when the top layer of soil has dried. Outdoors, on the other hand, a columbine only needs a regular water supply during the growth phase. Even in dry seasons, this perennial should be watered. However, it is important to avoid waterlogging. Rainwater is best for watering because it is lime-free.

Do these plants need fertilizer?

It is not absolutely necessary to fertilize the columbine. If you work compost into the soil when planting, you only need to try to fertilize next year. A columbine in a pot should be lightly fertilized every 2 weeks during its growing season. From the end of August, fertilizing is stopped.

How is the columbine cut?

Even a cut of the columbine is not necessary. However, if you do not want the seeds to form and the columbine to spread throughout the garden by self-sowing, you should remove the faded flowers. The seeds usually form between July and August.

A cut can also be carried out in autumn or alternatively in early spring. After their growing season, columbines usually look unsightly as their foliage yellows and dries up. Cut the plants back to just above the ground! Since columbine is poisonous, it is advisable to wear gardening gloves when cutting.

Do columbines tolerate a transplant campaign?

Transplanting or repotting should be done before or after flowering. During the flowering period, the columbine can quickly be damaged by such actions. She is busy flowering and changing her location would rob her of additional energy.

What about diseases and pests?

Since columbines are poisonous, they are unattractive to most pests. Snails in particular prefer to give them a wide berth. On the other hand, the following pests like columbines:

  • Frost moth caterpillars (eat leaves and buds)
  • Mealybugs (form white webs)
  • Columbine gall midge (eats buds)

Very few columbines are susceptible to disease. Only poor site conditions and above all dry soil can weaken the plants and make them susceptible to disease. Then powdery mildew can appear. Infested parts should be cut off quickly and disposed of (not in the compost)!

tips and tricks

In the growth phase of the columbine, it is important to weed out annoying weeds. Otherwise the weeds will overgrow the young columbines. As a result, they lose out and die.

Category:

Herbs