Plants sometimes hang their heads because something is wrong in their lives. That's never nice. But when it comes to the Christmas rose, it hits us particularly hard because there is almost no alternative to it because of its winter flowering period. Nothing is lost yet
Why does my Christmas rose hang its head?
It is very likely that your Christmas rose isWater-deprivedCheck whether its root area has dried out. If so, water them immediately. If the Christmas rose is outside, hanging its head in winter is aProtection mechanism against frost
How can I quickly help a dried-out Christmas rose?
With immediatePouringof course! If the Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), also known as the snow rose, is in the pot, you should prefer a so-calledimmersion bath:
- Fill bucket with water
- Put the root ball and pot in it
- wait until the soil is soaked
- Get the plant out
- Drain the water
- place in the planter/on the coaster
You should alsocut off dried leaves. This will prevent fungal diseases and make room for new growth.
How do I know when Christmas roses need water?
If the Christmas rose is in the pot, do thefinger test regularlyIf thetop layer of soil is dry, you should water it. But watering “in reserve” is not appropriate for it, as it cannot tolerate waterlogging. Especially in spring, wetness promotes the fungal disease stem root rot. Incidentally, the Christmas rose has nothing to do with hard tap water, as it likes calcareous soil.
Can Christmas roses in the bed also suffer from drought?
Yes, garden plants can also dry out. But as a rule they need to be watered less often than Christmas roses in pots. Especially if they are under a tree and are therefore somewhat shaded. The following applies to perennials outdoors:
- on hot days watering
- the sunnier the location, the more often
- water even in winter on frost-free days
- water requirements are lower in winter
The recommendations for watering also apply to the slightly later and more colorful flowering Lentenrose, which is often referred to as the Christmas rose, but is actually a related species of hellebore.
What should I do if the Christmas rose hangs because of frost?
Planted Christmas roses are sufficiently hardy and do not need to be protected in winter. Just wait patiently Under no circumstances should you water when there is frost! The Christmas rose has deliberately drawn the water out of the stems so that they don't burst. As soon as the thermometer shows positive values again, your Christmas rose will stand up again on its own. If the hanging Christmas rose is in a pot in the open air, you must definitely take winter protection measures, otherwise things can become critical for it.
Tip
Mulch cover can protect Christmas roses from drying out and frost
Leave fallen leaves from neighboring deciduous trees or mulch the root area of your Christmas roses with leaves, grass clippings or bark mulch. A thick layer warms the roots, protects the soil from drying out and eliminates the need for additional fertilizing.
