Plant, maintain, multiply and more

Plant the vanilla flower correctly

The planting time begins in mid-May for vanilla flowers bought ready-made or pre-grown on the windowsill. We recommend high-quality compost-based potted plant soil as a substrate. Give another handful, please Lava granules(€ 14.00 at Amazon *) or Perlite(€ 35.50 at Amazon *) added for best permeability. A few pottery shards above the water drain act as protection against waterlogging. Take a young heliotrope out of the nursery pot to plant it in the middle so deep that the soil reaches up to the lower pair of leaves. Press the substrate down with your hands so that no air pockets obstruct the rooting. A 2-3 cm high pouring rim has proven itself in daily practice. You finish the planting process with a generous sip of water.
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Care tips

Its status as a rarity for the summer scented garden certainly does not result from modest maintenance requirements. In view of the uncomplicated care program, it is very surprising that the heliotrope is so rarely found in private ornamental gardens.

• Water regularly when the substrate is 1-2 cm deep
• Apply liquid fertilizer weekly from April to October
• Fertilize every 3 weeks from November to March
• Clean up withered flowers as soon as possible
• Slightly pruned in autumn before moving to winter quarters

In the bright location at temperatures of 10-18 degrees Celsius, pour the Vanilla flower Limited. If you can see buds or flowers, snap them off with your fingers until February. At the end of winter, cut the wood down to 2 buds or a height of 10-12 cm.
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Which location is suitable?

A heliotrope is particularly popular in a sunny, warm and sheltered location. Please choose a location that offers your floral fragrance protection from the blazing midday sun. So the vanilla flower has nothing against a partially shaded place where it can enjoy the mild morning and evening sun.
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What soil does the plant need?

For the pot culture has become a high quality Potting soil proven that with Lava granules, Perlite or pumice is enriched. If you prefer the annual cultivation in the bed for a heliotrope, a nutrient-rich, humus-rich and well-drained soil comes into consideration.

When is the flowering time?

The heliotrope inspires with a flowering time from May to September. As long as the temperatures are well above 10 degrees Celsius, the exotic ornamental wood with blue or white scented flowers transforms the balcony into a pleasant oasis of wellbeing. If you cut back the wilted flower umbels and their stems regularly, the next buds will find their way into the sunlight.

Cut the vanilla flower correctly

The freshly sharpened, disinfected Secateurs is one of the most important utensils in the professional care of heliotrope varieties. We have put together for you on which occasions you cut the vanilla flower:

• At a height of 8-10 cm, de-spit for bushy branching
• Cut off the wilted flowers together with the stem to the next bud
• Moderate pruning before clearing in autumn
• Consistently switch off buds and flowers from November to February

The ornamental wood receives its main cut after wintering. In March, ideally, cut all branches down to a height of 10 cm. Please make sure that at least 2 buds remain on one shoot, from which the heliotrope will sprout again.

Pour the vanilla flower

An adequate water supply is one of the fundamental maintenance measures of a Heliotropium arborescens. In the sun-drenched, warm location, daily watering may be necessary, especially during the summer. To avoid waterlogging, please check beforehand with a thumb test whether the top 1-2 cm of the substrate is dry.

Fertilize the vanilla flower properly

Pamper your Heliotrope with weekly doses of liquid fertilizer from April to October. Flowering and fragrant plants depend on this generous supply of nutrients so that their energy reserves do not run out prematurely. When you move into winter quarters, you reduce the dosage to an interval of 3 weeks between November and March.

Overwinter

In autumn, cut back the withered heliotrope and give the plant its winter quarters. At temperatures between 10 and 18 degrees Celsius, place the vanilla flower in a light spot. Water every now and then to keep the root ball from drying out. Since the South American beauty does not completely settle down, fertilize You continue with a liquid supplement every 3 weeks. You snap out buds and flowers with your fingers from November to February. In March, cut back your floral winter guest again to make room for a fresh shoot.
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Propagate the vanilla flower

For vegetative, single-variety propagation, please cut non-blooming, semi-lignified head cuttings in early summer. The lower part is defoliated and two thirds of it is lean Growing substrate(€ 12.99 at Amazon *) Once planted, the rooting progresses quickly. A plastic bag that is pulled over it also accelerates the process. Please ensure that the substrate is always moist and do not apply any fertilizer.

Alternatively, sow the seeds in small pots in February / March. Sift the seeds no more than 0.5 cm high with sand or vermiculite. In the partially shaded window seat at 18-22 degrees Celsius, germination takes 10-15 days.

Is Vanilla Flower Poisonous?

The vanilla flower has a poisonous alkaloid flowing through it, which primarily damages the liver. Therefore, a heliotrope is not suitable for cultivation in the family garden. The risk that the seductive, sweet scent will tempt small children to snack is too great, with fatal consequences for their health. If curious pets frolic on the balcony, the ornamental wood should also not be within reach.
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Nice varieties

• Navy: Compact vanilla flower that enchants with sky-blue flowers; ideal for the bucket; Growth height 30-40 cm
• Alba: White flowering, majestic heliotrope variety, revered as 'The Queen' in Victorian times; Growth height 80-100 cm
• Sally Reath: Enchanting floral fragrance for the summer balcony with dark purple flowers; Growth height 80-100 cm
• Iowa: Innovative cultivation with amethyst-colored flower umbels and a sweet scent of wine gum; Growth height 60-80 cm
• Ahrensburg Castle: Lavishly branching ornamental shrub with medium blue, aromatic scented flowers; Growth height 30-40 cm
• Vanillazauber: Premium variety with violet flowers, the fragrance of which arouses the desire for vanilla pudding; 30-40 cm