Although the miracle flower has delighted the hearts of people in Europe since the Middle Ages, it still cannot cope with frosty temperatures. With the right strategy, you can still guide the South American summer flower he althy and cheerful through the winter. This is how wintering works.
Is the miracle flower hardy?
The miracle flower is not hardy and should therefore be removed from the ground in autumn and stored in a cool, dark place until it is replanted in spring. Overwintering outdoors is not recommended.
Putting away at the right time – What you should pay attention to
At the end of the summer flowering period, the foliage still has an important task to fulfill. In autumn, the tuber absorbs the remaining nutrients from the leaves. The miracle flower will then fall back on this reserve next year. Therefore, initially only cut off the withered flowers to prevent the growth of seeds.
When the nighttime temperatures fluctuate between 5 and 10 degrees Celsius, the time is right to move to winter quarters. Get the tubers out of the ground with the digging fork (€37.00 at Amazon) and cut off all roots and shoots down to 5 cm. If you notice any rotten spots, please cut them out too and dust the wound with charcoal ash.
How to accompany the miracle flower through the winter
The miracle flower is not suitable for overwintering outdoors, even at an advanced age. Please remove the tubers from the ground every year to store them in this winter quarter:
- Cool and dark, at temperatures between 5 and 8 degrees Celsius
- Laid out on a wooden shelf or wire rack
- Alternatively, wrap the tubers in a box in dry sand or peat
- Under the influence of very dry air, spray the tubers from time to time so that they do not dry out
From February/March, please check the tubers regularly to see whether the first shoots appear. In this case, place the miracle flowers in a pot with potting soil to care for them in a bright, warm location until the planting season begins in May. Thanks to your efforts, the plants grown in this way start the new season with a vital growth lead.
Tip
In a pot with a substrate volume of 10 liters or more, the miracle flower transforms the evening balcony into a flower-rich scented garden. Plant the tubers in normal, loose potting soil 2 to 3 cm deep in May and place the pot in a sunny, warm location.