Lupins are one of the garden plants that produce beautiful flowers even without much care. When planted in the right location, they develop a splendor of flowers that make every perennial bed a highlight. What you should consider when caring for it.
How do you properly care for lupins?
Lupins require little care: only water them as young plants, avoid fertilizer and cut off spent panicles. They are hardy but should be protected from pests such as snails and diseases such as powdery mildew and Fusarium wilt.
How to water lupins correctly?
Lupins develop very long roots. They can be longer than the tall inflorescences. The perennials therefore only need to be watered when they are very young and do not yet have long roots. You no longer need to water older lupins. They take care of themselves through their roots.
Can lupins be transplanted?
Like all perennials, you can safely transplant lupins. But be careful not to bend or damage the long roots. You can also divide very large specimens to grow new lupine plants. The best time for transplanting is autumn.
How to cut lupins correctly?
Basically, lupins don't need to be cut at all. They still grow again every year. However, it is advisable to cut spent flowers immediately. Then the perennial often blooms a second time.
Removing the spent panicles also makes sense so that the plants do not self-sow uncontrollably. In autumn you can cut the plant down to the ground.
Do lupins need fertilizer?
Lupins also cope well with very poor soil. They don't need any fertilizer. On the contrary: lupins are often used as green manure. They form small nodules on the roots that enrich the plant and the soil with nitrogen, making it more fertile.
If fertilizer is to be added at all, then it should only be mature compost.
Are lupins hardy?
Lupins in the garden are hardy. They can also tolerate very low temperatures below zero. Winter protection is not necessary.
It's different with lupins in pots. The earth freezes more quickly here, so you should protect the bucket from frost with foil or other materials.
What pests and diseases can occur on lupins?
- Snails
- Mildew
- Fusarium wilt
Snails only really cause problems for young lupins. They eat the young leaves and can cause considerable damage to the young plants. Collect the animals from young lupins. Older, he althy plants can easily survive a snail attack.
Mildew occurs when plants are too moist and too dense. Make sure air can circulate between the leaves.
If the leaves wilt and the flowers fall off prematurely, the viral disease Fusarium wilt may be responsible. Pull up the plants and destroy them so that the disease cannot spread further.
Tips & Tricks
Lupins also look very pretty in colorful summer bouquets. Due to the length of the flower spikes, they are well suited for floor vases. Pick lupins as cut flowers as soon as the lower flowers have opened.
