The steppe candle gives the perennial border decorative structure with its majestic silhouette. As a solitaire with a unique long-distance effect, we cannot escape the magic of an Eremurus. The following answers to frequently asked questions reveal what the royal Cleopatra needle values as part of its cultivation.

The steppe candle is an easy-care, exotic-looking beauty

Table of Contents

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  1. Plant steppe candle correctly
  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. Cut the steppe candle correctly
  8. Pouring steppe candle
  9. Fertilize steppe candle properly
  10. hibernate
  11. Propagate steppe candle
  12. Steppe candle does not bloom
  13. Beautiful varieties

    14. Plant steppe candle correctly

    Proper planting of all Eremurus species and varieties is based on careful soil preparation. Since the starfish-like tubers are quite brittle, loose and deep soil is important. If the soil seems too clayey to you, add sand or fine chippings (€46.95) and some compost if in doubt. How to plant the steppe candle correctly:

    • The ideal planting time is from September to November
    • Dig a 45-50 cm deep planting pit
    • Mix in mature compost and horn shavings (32.93€) to the excavation
    • Lay out a 20 cm high drainage of sand or fine gravel on the sole
    • Plant the tuber so that its eye is no more than 15 cm below the surface of the soil

    After the planting site has been watered, spread out a layer of leaf soil, compost and pine twigs. In this way, winter wetness cannot damage the tubers.
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    care tips

    You don't need to resort to extensive prior gardening knowledge to manage caring for a furious Eremurus. After planting, spread out a generous layer of mulch to protect the ornamental perennial from the rigors of winter in the years to come. In the spring, the steppe candle gratefully accepts a fertilizer for flower bulbs or a portion of compost with horn shavings (32.93€). Water the flower when it is dry, but without causing waterlogging. You can cut the withered flower candles either immediately after the flowering period or only in autumn. Before the first frost, the entire perennial should be cut off close to the ground in order to spread the winter protection mentioned in the form of leaves, straw and brushwood.
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    Which location is suitable?

    She is considered a prime example of a sun worshiper. Give Eremurus a full sun, warm and sheltered location, its mighty flower towers rise above the lanceolate, grassy foliage. The condition of the soil proves to be a no less relevant site condition. The sensitive rhizomes require a loose, not too moist and nutrient-rich substrate.

    The right planting distance

    In parks and large gardens, the imposing steppe candle comes into its own in small groups of 3-4 specimens. In this case, the ideal planting distance is 50-60 cm, or 4 Eremurus per square meter. If a lily tail acts as a structuring solitaire, we recommend a distance of at least 80 cm to the neighboring bed.

    What soil does the plant need?

    Pay special attention to the quality of the soil, as this is a key factor for the successful cultivation of Eremurus. This is how the soil should be structured:

    • Rich in nutrients
    • Humorous and profoundly relaxed
    • Fresh to slightly sandy and with first class drainage

    Since nutrient-rich soil tends to be heavy, simply add a few handfuls of sand, fine grit, and coarse compost as needed.

    What is the best planting time?

    In garden practice, the months of September to November have proven to be the best possible planting time for Eremurus. At this time, the summer sun has profoundly warmed the soil, which promotes rapid rooting before winter. In addition, the steppe candles start their first garden season with a vital growth advantage.
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    Cut the steppe candle correctly

    The undisturbed eremurus are allowed to thrive, the more magnificently their impressive silhouette unfolds. Therefore, cut the ornamental shrub rarely. To use the furious flower candles as decoration for the floor vase, cut them off as soon as the lower buds have opened. The withered flower columns continue to set decorative accents with their seed pods. If you want to seed steppe candles in the garden, enjoy this spectacle so that you can only cut back to the ground in autumn. Otherwise, first cut off the withered inflorescences and leave the foliage in the bed until it has fully retracted.

    Pouring steppe candle

    Understandably, intensive evaporation takes place where such mighty flower towers rise above a bushy dress of leaves. Therefore, water Eremurus regularly in full sun when the soil surface has dried. The ornamental perennials absorb the water very well if it is poured directly onto the root disc from the can spout. Ideally, give the irrigation water in sips so that no harmful waterlogging can form.

    Fertilize steppe candle properly

    With a start fertilization in spring you give your Eremurus the necessary energy for a magnificent bloom. Ideally, you should administer organic fertilizers such as mature compost, horn shavings, guano granules or bark humus. Optionally, a commercially available fertilizer for flower bulbs serves as a nutrient supplier.

    hibernate

    Since the rhizome of an Eremurus is so close to the surface of the earth, the following precautions are useful for a healthy overwintering:

    • In autumn at the latest, cut off the drawn-in leaves and the withered blossom candles
    • Cover the planting site with leaves, compost and brushwood

    Delayed ground frosts in spring are more threatening than freezing frost and wintry wet snow. Keep an eye on the weather forecast to protect the fresh shoots with garden fleece wrapped several times or pots turned upside down if necessary.

    Propagate steppe candle

    A well-established steppe primrose will produce daughter tubers from its starfish-like root system, which are suitable for propagation. In late summer, dig up the Eremurus to snip off these brood bulbs with a sharp knife. Throughout the winter, nurture the offspring in pots with a mix of potting soil and sand to help them develop a vital root system. In late summer, plant the young steppe candles in full sun in loose, nutritious soil. Alternatively, place the harvested daughter tubers directly in the bed, which is associated with a high risk of failure.

    Another method of propagation is sowing. In autumn, remove the seeds from the ripe capsules. Since these are cold germs, sow the seeds directly in the bed so that they naturally receive the cold stimulus. Sowing, on the other hand, is more successful under the controlled conditions behind glass. Stratification paves the way for germination by depositing the seeds in moist sand in the crisper of the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks.
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    Steppe candle does not bloom

    If an Eremurus refuses the longed-for flowering splendor, there are various reasons behind it. The following overview shows common triggers and gives quick tips for rectifying them:

    • Lack of light: Transplant to a full sun location
    • Compacted soil: optimize the soil with sand, fine grit and compost
    • Tuber blight due to waterlogging: dig up and discard
    • Frost damage as a result of ground frost: protect the first shoots with several layers of garden fleece

    If your problem child is an Eremurus propagated by seedling, be patient. After sowing, 3 to 5 years pass before the first flowering.
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    Beautiful varieties

    • Cleopatra: Delightfully compact variety with orange, red-striped flowers and red midrib; Growth height 125 cm
    • Romance: This Eremurus spreads romantic flair with salmon pink flower spikes from May to July; Growth height 180 cm
    • Himalaicus: A magnificent specimen with milky-white, 50 cm long flower spikes and hundreds of individual flowers; Growth height 150 cm
    • Yellow Eremurus: sets accents in the bed with bright flower columns. A wonderful cut flower; Growth height 130 cm
    • Pinokkio: Unmissable eye-catcher for the perennial border thanks to the orange inflorescences; Growth height 100-130 cm

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Herbs