The elf mirror adorns balconies and terraces for many weeks with its splendor of flowers in a wide variety of colors. Hybrids are often offered as annual summer flowers, but there are also perennial species that are worth overwintering.
How do I properly care for an elf mirror?
Elfenspiegel care includes a sunny, wind-protected location, regular watering without waterlogging, sparing fertilization and protection from frost. Pruning can encourage re-blooming.
Planting the elf mirror
Originally native to South Africa, the Elfenspiegel loves a sunny location. You will also be doing your plant a big favor by placing it in a place protected from the wind. The soil does not have to be particularly nutrient-rich. However, many hybrids are bred for abundant flowering; these plants are a little hungrier than the wild varieties.
Since the Elfenspiegel is not really hardy, you should only plant it in late spring. It's best to wait until after the Ice Saints in May to plant young plants, as they are still quite susceptible to frost. Add a little well-rotted compost to the planting hole and water the freshly planted elf mirror well.
Water and fertilize the elf mirror
Keep the soil evenly moist throughout the summer and water your fairy mirror regularly. However, you should definitely avoid waterlogging, otherwise the roots could rot. If you are unsure about the perfect time to water, then always water when the top layer of soil has dried.
The elf mirror doesn't need a lot of fertilizer. For many species it is enough to fertilize them once after pruning. However, very lush flowering hybrids can also tolerate a little more food. Here you can add a little liquid fertilizer (€12.00 on Amazon) to the irrigation water about once or twice a month.
Cutting the elf mirror
Pruning not only ensures a neat appearance but also ensures a long flowering period or a second flowering. The first flood of flowers on the Elfenspiegel is over around July. Now is the best time for a complete pruning, as it promotes the formation of new buds.
Alternatively, you can also remove the wilted flowers regularly. Experienced gardeners call this “cleaning out”. Then new buds continually form and there is no break in flowering as with a radical pruning.
The most important things in brief:
- sunny sheltered location
- water a lot
- fertilize little
- not hardy
Tip
By pruning you can encourage your fairy mirror to bloom again.
