Levkojen are particularly impressive with their magnificent, colorful and sweet-smelling flowers. Cultivating them does not require any specialist knowledge. However, you should not ignore the following care tips in order to be able to enjoy these plants for a long time.
How do I care for Levkojen properly?
Levkojen care includes regular watering without waterlogging, fertilizing before planting and before flowering, removing spent parts and protection in winter. They tolerate lime water and are susceptible to mildew, caterpillars and snails.
Can Levkojen tolerate drought, waterlogging and lime water?
The Levkojen don't care whether you choose tap water or rainwater. These flowers tolerate both lime-free and lime-containing water. They even like lime. On the other hand, they cannot get used to waterlogging. Drought also causes problems for them in the long term. You should therefore water these plants regularly, especially shortly after planting!
How are the plants fertilized?
If you prefer Levkojen, you should fertilize the young plants in the pots about 3 weeks before planting them outside. If you forget that, it's not a problem. You can also enrich the outdoor planting hole with compost.
Additional fertilizer is advisable shortly before flowering begins. Fertilize the Levkojen in May. This causes the flowering to last longer. Levkojen that are permanently cultivated in pots should be supplied with liquid fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) every 2 to 4 weeks.
Is pruning necessary?
Pruning is not a must. But it is recommended to cut off the withered parts of the Levkojen. It just looks better visually. Alternatively, you can completely remove the flowers, stems and leaves after flowering by tearing them out. Levkojen are only biennial and usually die after flowering.
Do Levkojen need to be wintered?
If levkojen are preferred to flower in their second year of life, they should be protected the first winter after sowing. A location in the cold frame or winter garden, for example, would be well suited to bring Levkojen safely over the winter.
Which pests and diseases can pose a threat to Levkojen?
The following disease and pests are reluctant to stop at Levkojen:
- Mildew: white coating; Cut off affected parts
- Cattlewhite caterpillars: lays the eggs in late summer; Caterpillars eat young plants
- Snails eat the leaves and shoots
- It's best to collect pests by hand
Tip
If you want to use Levkojen as cut flowers, you should cut off the flowers when they are 2/3 open.
