Where blue carpets of flowers sway in the summer wind, the blue lobelia exudes its floral magic. So that Mannentreu constantly stages its flower spectacle in the bed and on the balcony, no questions should remain unanswered with regard to plants and care. Explore field-tested answers here.

The delicate male loyalty delights with a long flowering period from May to September

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant true to men
  2. care tips
  3. Which location is suitable?
  4. The right planting distance
  5. What soil does the plant need?
  6. What is the best planting time?
  7. When is flowering time?
  8. Cut true to men
  9. watering faithfully
  10. Fertilize properly
  11. hibernate
  12. multiply faithfully to men
  13. Loyal to men in a pot
  14. Is loyalty to men poisonous?
  15. Is Blue Lobelia Hardy?
  16. trivia
  17. Beautiful varieties

    18. Plant true to men

    From mid-May, Mother Nature opens the time window for planting fully grown men's faithful in the bed. If you choose a sunny, fresh, moist and humus-rich location, these general conditions motivate the blue lobelia to perform at its best. Ideally, enrich the soil with compost, horn shavings (€32.93) or alternative organic soil additives such as horse manure, bark humus or guano granules. Soak the root ball in water until no more air bubbles rise. Meanwhile, dig small pits 10-12 cm apart. Repot the blue lobelia and plant them in the prepared soil up to the lower pair of leaves. Then water and mulch.
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    care tips

    In order for the one-year-old blue lobelia to become a floral hit in the garden, the care program has proven to be surprisingly clear. It's so easy to meet the demands of men's loyalty:

    • In case of drought, pour directly onto the roots in the morning or in the evening
    • Fertilize organically once a month from May to September
    • Give a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants in the bucket and balcony box
    • Shorten faded flowers by a third for a late summer rebloom

    Don't bother with the hassle of overwintering. From February onwards, sow new seeds on the windowsill, which will germinate quickly at 18 degrees and will have developed into magnificent young plants by mid-May.
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    Which location is suitable?

    The closer the chosen location is to the South African distribution regions, the more luxuriantly the dense sea of flowers of Jungstreu will sway through your garden. The location should be like this:

    • Sunny, without blazing midday sun
    • Warm and airy, protected from the pelting rain
    • Fresh, moist soil, humus and rich in nutrients

    In partial shade, the flowering of a blue lobelia regularly falls short of expectations. If the summer flower acts as an underplanting, please pay attention to possible shadowing, as it occurs under densely leafed tall stems.

    The right planting distance

    So that a dense carpet of flowers develops, we recommend a planting distance of 10 to 12 cm for the blue lobelia in the bed. Reduce this value by 3-4 cm in the balcony box or in the bucket, due to the limited space and for an opulent look. Arranged in small tufts, Mannentreu advances to become a popular floral figure that no viewer can resist.

    What soil does the plant need?

    True to men thrives tirelessly in any good garden soil. As long as the soil is humus rich, rich in nutrients and well drained, the blue lobelia will be at its best. In addition, the annual summer flower favors fresh, moist soil that cannot become waterlogged. The busy mass flowering plant is neutral in terms of pH. As long as there are no rashes in the strongly acidic or strongly alkaline range, the plant proves to be tolerant.

    What is the best planting time?

    Plant a blue lobelia that you have already grown in the bed from mid-May at the earliest. Since the flower does not tolerate frost, delayed ground frosts could damage it. Arranged in a window box or tub, there is nothing wrong with planting in April, as long as you move the flower to a sheltered room by mid/late May at night.

    When is flowering time?

    The flowering period of men's loyalty extends from May to September. To ensure that the sea of blossoms continues to flourish, the plants should be pruned back by 7-8 cm after the first bloom and fertilized again. In this way, you create space for an exuberant second bloom. After the first frosty night at the latest, the blooming is over, because the blue lobelia is not hardy.

    Cut true to men

    When the first flowers have peaked, cut back the blue lobelia by a third. Thanks to this gardening trick, you make room for an opulent second bloom. After the first frost, Mannentreu breathes out its flower life and can be removed from the bed and pot. Another cut has no further effect. Only dispose of clippings in the compost if pets, grazing cattle or horses cannot eat them, as all parts of the plant are poisonous.
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    watering faithfully

    Since the blue lobelia suffers greatly from drought stress, the flower should be protected from it by watering it regularly. Keep the substrate constantly moist without the water stagnating. It is an advantage if you alternately use collected rainwater and tap water to prevent excess lime in the soil. Splashing water from above with a garden hose pushes the delicate blooms to the ground. Therefore, use the spout of the watering can to water the roots directly in the early morning and late evening.

    Fertilize properly

    Fertilize the blue lobelia monthly from May to September with compost and horn shavings. Alternatively, administer a rich plant manure, such as nettle or comfrey manure. For men's loyalty in the planter, we recommend the use of commercially available liquid fertilizer, as this is easy to apply.

    hibernate

    Since the blue lobelia comes from the hot to maritime climate of South Africa, the flower has no frost resistance. At the same time, sowing and propagation are so uncomplicated that the majority of hobby gardeners opt for annual cultivation. In order to hibernate successfully, carry the withered flower to a cool, bright winter quarters in good time before the first frost. At temperatures around 5 degrees Celsius, water the root ball from time to time. The plant receives no fertilizer. From March, gradually get the blue lobelia used to higher temperatures and increase the amount of irrigation water in order to resettle them outdoors from mid-May.
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    multiply faithfully to men

    Sowing behind glass is a good way to grow more specimens. Since most male-loyal from the garden center are sterile hybrids, there is little point in collecting seeds in the bed. Instead, purchase certified seeds from specialist retailers. From the end of February/beginning of March, follow these steps:

    • Fill the seed tray with peat sand or seed soil
    • Mix the fine seeds with bird sand and spread thinly
    • Do not over sieve the light germs, just press them down and moisten them with a fine spray
    • Put a transparent hood over each vessel and set it up in the semi-shade at 18 degrees Celsius

    The strongest seedlings with two pairs of leaves are transplanted into individual pots and kept constantly moist until mid-May. Ideally, you should place the young plants outside during the day from April to gradually harden them off.

    Loyal to men in a pot

    The blue lobelia enters into a congenial partnership with high-growing balcony plants or tall stems in the tub as underplanting. The filigree flower is also colorful in the small pot. Commercial potting soil can be used as a substrate, optimized with compost and lava granules. (€13.99) To prevent waterlogging, place a piece of pottery shard over the floor opening as drainage. How to properly care for men's loyalty in the pot:

    • If the surface of the substrate dries, it is poured
    • Fertilize liquid every 4 weeks from May to September
    • Cut back by a third after the first blooms

    If you decide to experiment with overwintering, put the blue lobelia in the pot in a frost-free, bright winter quarters. Don't let the root ball dry out and stop fertilizing.

    Is loyalty to men poisonous?

    Because blue lobelia contains alkaloids in its plant veins, the plant is toxic to humans and animals. Therefore, keep away from the extension when children or pets are within reach. When in doubt, cultivate loyalty to men in a hanging traffic light that is unreachable under the ceiling. For reasons of caution, planting and care work should be done with gloves.
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    Is Blue Lobelia Hardy?

    Native to the warm, sun-drenched regions of South Africa, the blue lobelia is not cut out for a Central European winter of ice and snow. On the other hand, from May to the first frost, Mannentreu feels comfortable in sunny locations in the bed and on the balcony. In principle, hibernation is possible in frost-free, bright quarters. In view of the easy sowing and propagation, the effort is rarely worthwhile, especially since new growth in spring is not always guaranteed.
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    trivia

    Two versions are circulating about the origin of the trivial name of the blue lobelia. In the first variant, the researchers assume that the blue color of the flower symbolizes the man's true loyalty to his loved one. In the second variant, the scientists assume an ironic naming motif, which is also followed by the dictionary. As unstable as the flowers of a blue lobelia fall off after plucking, so is the loyalty of men.

    Beautiful varieties

    • Riviera Marine Blue: Extra early flowering blue lobelia with a rounded silhouette; Growth height 15 cm
    • Kaiser Wilhelm: Historical, proven variety that catches everyone's eyes with violet-blue flowers; Growth height 15-20 cm
    • Hamburgia: premium variety with indigo-blue flowers and vigorous growth, ideal for the balcony; Growth height 10 cm
    • Crystal Palace: Impressive blue lobelia that contrasts beautifully with dark foliage; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Techno Heat: Extremely heat-resistant blue lobelia that doesn't go limp under the blazing sun; Growth height 15 cm
    • White Cascade: New male-faithful breed with white flowers over lush green foliage; Growth height 15 cm
    • Rosamund: Pink-colored flowers that are loyal to men with a white eye for beds and balcony boxes; Growth height 10-15 cm
    • Richardi: Thanks to its hanging tendrils, which are up to 80 cm long, it is the ideal variety for hanging baskets

Category:

Vegetable garden