Content
- Multifunctional plant with floral pep - the versatile bee pasture
- care Tips
- Which location is suitable?
- Which soil does the plant need?
- When is flowering time?
- Cut Phacelia properly
- Pour phacelia
- Feed Phacelia properly
- Multiply Phacelia
- Phacelia in the pot
- Is Phacelia poisonous?
- How does the seeding of Phacelia succeed?
- Beautiful varieties
Popular with humans and insects: the bee pasture
Multifunctional plant with floral pep - the versatile bee pasture
With their sugary nectar, Phacelia magically attract bees and butterflies. Not enough, the one-year-old summer flower acts as a revitalizing green manure, suppressing weeds and bringing new life to fallow land. With a view of the pretty blue flower cluster, the bee pasture also pleases us as a handsome feast for the eyes. As you skillfully cultivate the multifunction flower, the following answers to frequently asked questions convey in detail.
care Tips
The robust constitution of a phacelia requires little care. If the weather is within normal parameters, the bee pasture is content with the natural rainfall. On the other hand, when the summer comes with a long-lasting drought, the summer flower receives enough water during the morning or evening hours. In a pot-growing environment, this can be the case every 1-2 days in a sunny spot, as the substrate dries up quickly due to the exposed layer. In the bed usually no fertilization is required, with one or the other portion of compost turns out to be beneficial for a lush flowering abundance. In the planter you fertilize from May to the end of the flowering period every 3-4 weeks with a liquid fertilizer. At temperatures below - 8 degrees Celsius, the plant freezes. Leave the stems and leaves on the ground as natural winter protection to rake them into the ground as an efficient soil improver in the spring.
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Which location is suitable?
In the sunny to partially shaded spot, the bee pasture thrives in almost every soil, as long as there is no waterlogged dominance. If you mess with fallow beds or gaps in the garden, Phacelia transforms these layers into a blue-violet sea of flowers.
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Which soil does the plant need?
Tufts of beauty make no significant claims to the soil condition. The pH value is just as secondary to the summer flowers as the nutrient content. Even in the acidic sandy soil, the bee pasture acts as a beneficial green manure and prepares the soil for more demanding crops. Only in astonishing earth the phacelia does not thrive. For cultivation in the tub, we recommend a commercially available potting soil, which is enriched with a little sand.
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When is flowering time?
The main flowering period extends from June to September, with the single flower gradually opening its individual flowers over a period of 3 to 4 weeks to wither. Seeds spread in April are starting to bloom in June. During the summer season, freshly seeded seeds then rapidly transform into flowering bee pasture within 4 weeks. Even Phacelia seeds released in August bloom in the same year.
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Cut Phacelia properly
The task assigned to a bee pasture defines the timing and execution of the cut. All occasions where Phacelia are cut, we have put together here for you:
Since the tufted flower is not closely related to any classical crop, it is excellently suited for the intermediate sowing. In this case, integrate the phacelia into the crop rotation and cut at the appropriate time to incorporate the withered plant parts in the soil.
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Pour phacelia
The sturdy bee pasture is content with the natural rainfall. Only in case of prolonged drought do you water the summer flowers in the early morning or in the evening hours. Cultivated in a pot or flower box, the soil dries up faster. Check here every few days with a thumb sample to see if the substrate has dried to water when needed.
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Feed Phacelia properly
If the bee pasture grows in normal garden soil, the gift of fertilizer is unnecessary. On the contrary, the summer flower acts as a green manure, enriching the soil with nitrogen. In the narrowly limited substrate volume of pot and balcony box, the nutrient reserves are quickly consumed. If deficiency symptoms manifest themselves, such as dull colors and loose leaves, administer a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.
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Multiply Phacelia
With regard to the easy sowing, alternative propagation methods for the bee pasture are not relevant. Once the flower grows in the garden, it is already sowing diligently anyway. In this case, leave the withered stems in the bed until the winter. The following spring, the descendants sprout in large numbers as if by magic.
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Phacelia in the pot
In the pot, the rustic bee pasture sets decorative accents in the nature and cottage garden. Fill the jar with a mix of potting soil and sand to seed the seeds directly. Since these are dark germs, sift the seeds with substrate 1-2 cm thick and pour in gently. In the sunny to partially shaded spot, germination takes place at 12-18 degrees Celsius within 1-2 weeks. After only 4-5 weeks, your Phacelia are in full bloom. Keep the substrate constantly slightly damp. Every 3-4 weeks, the enthusiastic honeybee lover is happy about a dose of organic liquid fertilizer.
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Is Phacelia poisonous?
Although the bee pasture serves as a green feed and provides delicious nectar, the flower is still not free of health concerns. The phacelioids contained in the plant parts can trigger contact allergies. We therefore recommend wearing protective gloves for all planting and care work.
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How does the seeding of Phacelia succeed?
From April to August the time window is open for sowing bee pasture. In the sunny to partially shaded spot, prepare the well-drained garden soil with a fine crumble. Ideally, mix the very fine seed with a bit of sand for a uniform distribution and then spread it out wide-bred. A dosage of 2 grams per square meter has proven itself in practice. Since they are dark germs, rake the seeds 1-2 cm deep into the soil. Finally, pour the seedbed with a fine shower and put a tight-knit insect net over it to protect against pecking birds and ravenous pests. At temperatures between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius germination takes 7 to 14 days.
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