Temperatures below 5 degrees Celsius make the non-hardy miracle flower shiver. Since the Mirabilis jalapa thrives for several years in its South American homeland, it can overwinter undamaged under adequate conditions. This guide explains how to do it.
How can you overwinter the miracle flower successfully?
To properly overwinter the miracle flower (Mirabilis jalapa), only dig up the tubers when the foliage has completely yellowed. Store them in winter quarters at 5 to 10 degrees Celsius, dry and dark on a grid or in a box with sand, sawdust or peat. Check and rotate the tubers every 2 weeks.
Don't dig up tubers too early - this is how you do it right
At the end of the flowering period, the miracle flower is far from going to rest. Now she wants to shift the remaining nutrients from the leaves into the tuber as an energy reserve for the next season. Therefore, only dig up the tubers when the foliage has completely yellowed. If temperatures regularly fall below 10 degrees Celsius at night, dig up the tubers and cut off the shoots and roots.
This is how the miracle flower gets through the cold season safely
Just knock the soil off the dug tubers, as a spray of water could cause rot. How to overwinter your plants properly:
- The winter quarters are dark, with temperatures between 5 and a maximum of 10 degrees Celsius
- Lay the miracle flower bulbs dry next to each other on a grid or wooden shelf
- Choice in a box with sand, sawdust or peat moss
Until the planting season begins, turn the tubers every 2 weeks and check the epidermis for rot or pests. If the air in the room is very dry, spray the plants a little with soft water every now and then to prevent them from drying out.
Tip
A lovingly cared for miracle flower develops a strong root system over the course of the season. Therefore, first plant the tubers in a pot with several openings in the bottom or a plant basket, such as the one used for pond plants. Only then do you put the miracle flower in the bed from mid-May. This trick makes autumn digging much easier.
