- Do midday flowers need to be watered in the garden?
- What should be considered when repotting midday flowers?
- Can the ice plant tolerate pruning?
- What are the reasons for poorly growing or non-flowering ice plants?
- Do ice plants need to be fertilized regularly?
- How are ice flowers properly overwintered?
The ice plant of the genus Delosperma comes from the southern countries of Africa and, like other plants known under the name ice plant, opens its numerous flowers throughout the summer only during the day and when the sun is shining. In a suitable location, these plants convince with an extraordinary abundance of flowers, even with little care.
The ice plant is quite easy to care for
Do midday flowers need to be watered in the garden?
Ice plants not only love locations in full sun, they also require very little water. Therefore, they should only be watered during long periods of drought, when cultivating in a bucket or when growing young plants. Since ice plants are very sensitive to waterlogging, sand or gravel should be added to the substrate at the desired location.
What should be considered when repotting midday flowers?
When growing midday flowers in pots, not only should the planter be provided with appropriate holes to ensure water drainage, but a mineral content should also be added to the substrate. Sand, gravel or small stones provide better drainage, preventing root rot.
Can the ice plant tolerate pruning?
Basically, the ice plant is a rather uncomplicated type of plant. Since the plant can spread quite a bit as a cushion or carpet, a certain distance to weakly growing neighbors should be maintained when planting. If necessary, shoots that have grown too long can also be shortened at any time with a knife or clean scissors.
What are the reasons for poorly growing or non-flowering ice plants?
The ice plant of the genus Delosperma is not particularly susceptible to diseases or pests. Powdery mildew rarely occurs, the somewhat more frequent aphid infestation can be combated with the following measures:
- nettle manure
- by sprinkling with milk
- by cutting out the affected parts of the plant
Poor growth or a lack of flowering are usually due to a location that is too shady. The reason for plants dying off is usually either a lack of winter hardiness or a substrate that is too wet.
Do ice plants need to be fertilized regularly?
Since ice plants grow well even on very poor soil, no additional fertilization is necessary.
How are ice flowers properly overwintered?
Many varieties of ice plant are hardy outdoors without any problems, as long as there are no frosts or waterlogging in the subsoil.
tips
The ice plant is well suited as a rock garden plant, as a plant for dry slopes or for planting in balcony boxes (€109.00), as it loves ample sunlight and drought.