Plant magic bells correctly
The departure of the ice saints in mid-May heralds the beginning of the planting time for magic bells. Put the still potted young plants with the root ball in soft water while you prepare the soil in the sunny location to make it finely crumbly. The young Calibrachoa take up small planting pits at a distance of 20-25 cm. It is beneficial to dig some peat or Rhododendron soil to mix in. The addition of deciduous or coniferous compost also contributes to optimal starting conditions. To the charming summer flowers in the pot and Flower box(€ 35.85 at Amazon *) To plant properly, proceed as follows:
- Place a pottery shard over the water drain as a drainage
- Fill in bog soil or rhododendron soil up to a third
- Place 5 Calibrachoa per running meter in the loose soil and press down
- Leave a pouring margin of 2-3 cm
also read
- Hibernate the magic bell - is that possible?
- Magic bells and petunias: similarities and differences
- The right care for a richly blooming magic bell
Do not set the plants any deeper than they were previously in the nursery pot. Finally, pour on with soft water.
Care tips
The care program for Calibrachoa is primarily based on a well-balanced water and nutrient balance. The sunnier the location and warmer the temperatures, the greater the need for watering. Therefore, check the substrate in the bed and tub daily with a thumb test. If the top 1-2 cm feel dry, the magic bells are poured with soft water. From May to September the irrigation water contains a liquid fertilizer for every 14 days Petunias. This special preparation is formulated in such a way that it provides all the important nutrients plus iron. The third pillar of successful cultivation is the repeated cut. If you shorten the tendrils by a third every few weeks, a brilliant abundance of flowers will develop. You can save yourself time-consuming cleaning with magic bells.
Continue reading
Which location is suitable?
So that the floral jewelry in the bed and on the balcony meet expectations, the location should be like this:
- Sunny location without summer heat build-up
- Well drained, humus soil, fresh and not too dry
- Ideally an acidic pH of 5.5 to 6.0
While with petunias the focus is always on protection from wind and rain, Calibrachoa prove to be significantly more resistant in this regard.
What soil does the plant need?
Magic bells live up to their name when a slightly acidic soil predominates in the sunny location. Otherwise, the attributes of normal garden soil are advantageous, such as nutrient-rich, humic, fresh-moist and well-drained. As a substrate for pots and balcony boxes, we therefore recommend rhododendron soil or bog soil, which have a natural pH value of 5.5 to 6.0.
When is the flowering time?
Calibrachoa present their lavish abundance of flowers from May to October in the bed and on the balcony. Regularly clean withered flowers, always attract new buds and create a well-groomed appearance. If this work is too time-consuming for you, wait the short time until the flowers have dried up, because they will quickly overgrow.
Cut magic bells correctly
If you cut Calibrachoa back by a third every 2 to 3 weeks, the summer beauties will branch out continuously. If the other framework conditions are correct, the plant is covered with a dense flow of flowers that almost completely covers the green leaves. Since overwintering the extremely cold-sensitive magic bells is not worthwhile, wait for the seeds to ripen in autumn, collect the seeds and dispose of the rest on the compost.
Pour magic bells
Water your magic bells regularly with soft water, because drought stress noticeably affects the abundance of flowers. This can be the case every day on warm summer days. So check the moisture content with a finger every morning or evening so that you can immediately water if necessary. A coaster is poured out after a few minutes to prevent damaging waterlogging.
Fertilize magic bells properly
A balanced supply of nutrients is one of the pillars of professional care. Calibrachoa require plenty of fertilizer, both in the bed and in the planter. From May to September, give a liquid petunia fertilizer every 14 days, which are geared to the specific iron requirement. The addition of compost is not advisable due to the sensitive roots and the dense flowers and leaves.
Overwinter
Looking at the uncomplicated sowing, the majority of hobby gardeners decide against the costly wintering of Calibrachoa. If you would like to dare to experiment, cut the tendrils back to 10 cm in autumn. Carry the cold-sensitive magic bells in a bright winter quarter. At temperatures between 10 and 12 degrees Celsius, pour soft water from time to time so that the root ball does not dry out. There is no fertilization in this phase. From the middle / end of April, gradually accustom the plants to sunlight and warmer Temperatures, pot around in fresh substrate so that they are ready for life in the open air from mid-May are armed.
Continue reading
Propagate magic bells
If the magic bells run out of breath in autumn, exercise a little patience and do not dispose of the busy flowers prematurely. Instead, wait until the green seed pods turn brown and collect them. In the airy, dry place, the capsules open quickly and release the valuable seeds. In January, sow the fine seeds on the partially shaded, warm window sill and breed the next generation by May. Alternatively, cut non-flowering head cuttings in early summer to allow them to take root in a small pot with poor substrate.
Is magic bell poisonous?
Botanists assign the magic bell to the nightshade family. Thus the flower beauty is distantly related to popular crops such as potatoes and tomatoes. You can therefore rest assured that Calibrachoa is safe to use in the family garden.
Yellow leaves
With yellow leaves, the magic bell signals discomfort due to a lack of nutrients. The impairment is triggered by the use of calcareous irrigation water. The lime content accumulates in the substrate, so that vital iron is determined. You should therefore switch to collected rainwater or decalcified tap water. A special iron fertilizer available from specialist retailers provides a short-term remedy.
Nice varieties
- Ruby of the Valley: Abundantly blooming with ruby red flowers, very healthy and extremely robust; Balcony plant of the year 2012
- Deep Yellow: Impresses with its spherical growth and bright yellow flowers all summer long
- Chameleon Sunshine Berry: A firework of blossoms in pink and yellow on tendrils up to 60 cm long; ideal for the traffic light
- Petticoat: Double-blooming calibrachoa in a class of its own in enchanting colors from light yellow to dark purple
- Lemon Ice: unfolds a sea of flowers with white bells, which are a pale yellow eye adorns