At least since the 1970s, when the pop singer Heino with his hit »Blau blooms der Enzian« den At the peak of his career, most people are familiar with the name of this mountain plant. Despite its popularity, the gentian has become very rare and is now on the red list and under nature protection.
Gentian is originally found in cooler mountain regions. He actually prefers the higher lying areas around 1,000 to 3,000 meters. Nonetheless, over time, the plant has found its way into home gardens and now thrives in front gardens or on balconies.
Gentian itself - regardless of whether it is a gentian bush or a gentian tree, is very robust. The perennial plant is hardy and can easily be overwintered.
The blue gentian - the popular mountain plant
Gentians (Gentiana) are assigned to the large gentian family. They are mainly found in mountainous regions and have various uses. Some gentians are used as medicinal plants and the gentian is also often used as an ornamental plant. There are not only blue plants for a long time, the flowers can also be yellow, pink or white.
Gentians - especially the Blue gentian - he is pleased of great popularity among lovers of mountain flowers. One reason for this is the low maintenance effort that has to be carried out for cultivation. In addition, the safe wintering of the plant is not associated with great effort. In the following some rules are explained that guarantee the successful wintering of the plant.
What happens in the coldest season?
Wintering is a very important aspect of plant care. The gentian is a mountain plant and should be able to withstand snow and ice without major problems, but it fears harsh winters and extreme cold and, above all, too much moisture. The water problem becomes acute with the onset of autumn. Particular care should be taken to ensure that the gentian is in a location where water drains off well. If the gentian stands in a pool of water for too long, the plant, which is actually resistant to diseases, is quickly attacked and damaged by fungi.
The following tips will help you to properly overwinter a gentian:
In regions with freezing temperatures, it is particularly advisable to cover the plant with mulch, brushwood or leaves to protect it from frost and cold. Even in winter, care must be taken to ensure that the gentian is abundantly watered. As already mentioned, the plants must never get too dry or too wet. The soil on which the gentian thrives must also be permeable and nutrient-rich in winter and have a high proportion of humus. The three golden rules for correct winter storage are summarized here in bullet points:
- uncomplicated wintering at moderate temperatures
- Attention: Protection against excessive frost by covering is necessary
- moderate water release must also take place in the winter phase
What happens after the successful wintering?
If Plant holder If you decide to want to grow gentian again next spring, you can fulfill this wish without much effort by sowing again. It should be noted that the sowing should take place before the first frost. The best time to do this is between September and October. For germination, the temperature should at best not exceed 5 degrees Celsius at any time. Gentian is known as a frost germer and can thrive best in these conditions.
A simple planter can be used for sowing. New gentian can also be grown in the flower box. The soil should be permeable and have a high proportion of humus. In good weather conditions - i.e. sufficient light and sun - it can grow up to 10 cm. After the young plant has grown, it can simply be put out. As a rule, the flowers do not appear until the coming spring. Incidentally, the young plant feels most comfortable in one Rock garden - the original origin of the plant.
What does the optimal thinning and maintenance look like?
If the above conditions are met, a gentian no longer needs a lot of care. The most important thing is the right location and protection from excessive frost. The art of properly caring for a gentian consists, among other things, of skillfully watering it. The roots of the plant should never dry out. At the same time, it is important that they do not get too wet. A right balance has to be found.
In good conditions, the gentian can quickly grow large and imposing. Then it is allowed to light up the plant a little even during the flowering period, which creates a clearer line in growth. This has a particularly positive effect on the appearance of the mountain plant. If you then regularly supply the gentian with a natural fertilizer, the care is optimal and the plant can really survive the winter and then also grow beautifully
Nowadays the wild gentian has become very rare and is already under nature protection. Under no circumstances should it simply be dug up and then replanted in your own garden. Collecting gentian flowers is also prohibited. However, the gentian plant can be purchased in any well-stocked flower shop. In the past, the plant only grew in high mountain regions that were inaccessible to humans. But today you can enjoy these splendid specimens year after year in your own garden or on the balcony - provided you adhere to the guidelines for correct winter storage.
Worth knowing about the wintering of gentian in brief
Because the plants prefer the coolness of the mountains, they don't mind cooler winters either. However, if you are unsure and don't want to risk anything, then you can cover the gentian with some leaves or mulch. You can even water the gentian during the winter break. Make sure, however, that you only add water on frost-free days and that the plants do not dry out.
Alternately, gentian hibernate
- You can also overwinter the gentian in a cool room at around 12 ° C.
- Make sure, however, that you water it regularly and that it is not too dark, because then it may lose its leaves.
- In addition, the gentian then needs a lot longer before it starts to bloom again.
Raise the gentian again
- Gentian is also ideal for sowing. You should not miss the timing here, because it would be ideal if you plant the seeds in the ground before the frost.
- Be on the safe side and use a planter for sowing, because you can move this into a winter home if necessary.
- You can move the young plants to the rock garden in the coming year. You can actually spend the winter there.
If you like the gentian Cultivate in the flower box you need soil rich in humus, lots of light and sun. Avoid waterlogging by all means. Then you can usually expect plants to bloom as early as spring.