Content
- Cut the imperial crown correctly
- Perennial onion plant with fixed location
- Self-sowing desired?
- Do not remove the leaves of the imperial crown too radically
- Tips & Tricks
The inflorescence can be carefully cut back after flowering
Cut the imperial crown correctly
The imperial crown originating from Persia is valued in Central European gardens not only because of the magnificent flowers, but also as an effective protection against a vole plague. The vegetation rhythm of the plants gives you a certain timetable by being able to cut back the plants in each case.
Perennial onion plant with fixed location
Unlike many other bulbous plants, you do not necessarily have to dig up the imperial crown onions every year and then replant them again. The perennial plants can be overwintered outdoors without problems if the onions are used about two to three times as deep in the soil as the onion is high. However, the imperial crown grows out of the ground every spring, which is why the parts of plants dying above the surface of the earth should be removed for reasons of appearance and health care.
Self-sowing desired?
After the flowering season in April and May, the inflorescences of the imperial crowns wither and form with successful fertilization and germinable seeds. If you want to multiply your imperial crowns from these seeds, then you must leave the seeds to the plants to complete maturity. They can then either harvest the crops and control them for germination, or have them self-seed in the flowerbed. Otherwise, you can remove the inflorescence immediately after withering, otherwise unnecessarily much energy is invested in the maturation of the seeds.
Do not remove the leaves of the imperial crown too radically
After the withering of the flowers you should first only shorten the pedicel, as the leaves at the base of the imperial crown are still storing energy for the next growing season in the onion. Only when the leaves near the ground are completely yellowed and withered, you can also easily cut off these. But if you leave a short piece of the stalk, then:
Tips & Tricks
Since the consumption of the imperial crown on humans and animals is poisonous, you should wear gloves when cutting and cover the cut material at the compost heap with non-toxic material for safety. You should also wash your hands before eating or touching sensitive parts of the body and mucous membranes.