From late summer onwards, the spider flower conjures up a filigree lightness in the flowerbed. The spider plant is grown as an annual and you can propagate it yourself by sowing. It is not winter hardy and, because it is easy to multiply, it is usually not overwintered.
Characteristics
- botanical name: Cleome hassleriana (most common species)
- Family: Cleomaceae
- Flower colors: purple, pink
- Flowering period: July - October
- Height: 80 - 100 cm
- Origin: South America (mainly Bolivia, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay)
- toxic to humans and animals
- around 300 different species
- popular varieties: SENORITA ROSALITA, FESCHE FANNY
- Inflorescences with thorns
Location
Spider flowers prefer a full sun, sheltered from the wind. Although it can also be grown in partial shade, this is at the expense of the flowering pleasure. Spider plants fit very well in the perennial bed, but should be in the back rows due to their size.
The following plants are suitable as direct neighbors in the perennial bed:
- Knight's spurs
- Marigolds
- Torch lilies
- Jewelry basket
- Grasses
The spider flower can also be placed in a pot or Buckets are cultivated. It should then also be sheltered from the wind and in full sun on the balcony or terrace.
Substrate
The spider plant likes nutrient-rich soils, which, however, must be permeable. You can mix garden soil with compost or horn shavings to give the plants a good foundation. If your garden soil is prone to waterlogging, work sand into the soil as drainage.
Note: Normal potting soil is sufficient for a culture in a bucket. It no longer has to be upgraded with additional fertilizer
will.sowing
Spider flowers are light germs. You can prefer the plants or you can scatter the seeds directly into the bed. The spider flower blooms much earlier if you prefer it protected. Start sowing in March at the latest.
Instructions for sowing:
- Fill the seed tray with seed compost
- Moisten the earth
- Distribute seeds evenly
- Press the seeds lightly
If you moisten the soil beforehand, you will prevent the seeds from being covered by soil that is floating up. Cover the seeds with a transparent hood. This will prevent the soil from drying out quickly. The seeds must remain constantly moist during the germination period.
Note: When sowing, the temperatures should be at least 18-20 ° C. Place the seed tray on a south-facing window so that the seeds have enough light.
Prick out
The spider flower germinates very quickly. The cotyledons appear after a few days. As soon as the young plants have reached a height of six to eight centimeters, you can separate them. This promotes root formation and strong plants grow.
Use a mixture of seed and potting soil as a substrate. The substrate should be more nutritious, but not too rich. This stimulates the formation of roots.
Planting out
The spider plant is not hardy. The pre-grown plants are therefore allowed outside in mid-May at the earliest, when there is no longer any danger of frost. The spider flowers are usually planted in groups, which makes them look better. However, make sure that the planting distance is at least 40 cm. This prevents the plants from competing for light and nutrients.
In the first time after planting out, make sure that the plants are adequately supplied with water. Once the spider flowers are rooted, you can slightly reduce the watering amounts.
Tip: Give the spider flowers a plant stick right away. They break off easily and heavy rain can knock over the plants.
to water
The spider plant tolerates short dry periods well. However, this should remain the exception, because the plants should be regularly supplied with water so that they can develop well. Avoid soil that is too moist and always water moderately.
Plants need a sufficient supply of water mainly in the hot summer months. Always water close to the ground and avoid that leaves and flowers get damp. Regardless of whether you cultivate the spider flower in a bed in the open air or in a pot, make sure that it does not form waterlogging.
fertilization
Spider flowers need a regular supply of nutrients. In addition to the basic fertilization before planting, you should add liquid fertilizer to the irrigation water. Water with liquid fertilizer every two to three weeks. The fertilization is kept constant until autumn, when the plants have died from the frost.
Commercially available fertilizer for flowering plants is suitable as a liquid fertilizer. You can also use nettle manure that you have prepared yourself for fertilization. It also has the advantage that you can use it to prevent pests to which the spider plant is susceptible.
Prepare nettle liquid:
- Coarsely chop the cabbage
- Fill the bucket 2/3 full with cabbage
- fill up with water
- stir regularly
As soon as the herb has largely decomposed, you can add the liquid manure in a ratio of 1:10 to the irrigation water.
Seeds
In the trade there are seldom spider flowers as pre-grown plants, but only as seeds. Once you have spider flowers in the garden, you can start collecting seeds yourself. You can collect the ripe pods from around August. You can also simply let the seeds fall out; they can overwinter in the open air compared to the plants. The seeds germinate in the bed when the temperature is consistently above 18 ° C.
Cut back
Spider plants do not need pruning. However, it is beneficial to regularly remove dead leaves and dead inflorescences. Even if you want to get seeds, limit it to a few flowers that you will allow to mature. This means that the spider flowers remain in bloom.
wintering
It is not necessary to overwinter the spider plant. Attempts to overwinter them usually fail because the plants get too little light. The effort they take too
overwintering is also disproportionately large, which is why it makes more sense to collect seeds by autumn and use them again for sowing.Diseases
A disease that results from a mistake in care is Root rot. The roots die from too much moisture, which prevents the plants from absorbing water and nutrients. As a result, the entire plant dies. Plants in pots are particularly affected. You can prevent root rot simply by watering moderately. If water builds up in the coaster, pour it out.
Pests
Occasionally can be found on the spider plants Aphids low. You can prevent infestation by fertilizing with nettle manure. In this case, you can also shower the plants so that the aphids are washed off. The promotion of predators also helps in the fight against aphids.
Due to their poisonous ingredients, spider plants have a natural defense substance, which means that aphids are rather rare. This also applies to Snails, which only rarely eat the plants. They only go to the spider plant when there is a shortage of food.
Can be a problem Vine weevil will. They eat both the leaves and the roots. Larvae on the roots in particular usually mean the death of the plants. To prevent this from happening, check regularly for damage to the leaves. If there are indentations there, check the roots. If larvae have settled there, you can control them with nematodes that you add to the irrigation water.
use
The spider flowers are ideal for creating beds in very sunny places. They feel comfortable in locations where other plants get problems due to drought and heat. The spider plant is suitable as a Group plant, but she also does as Solitary perennial A good figure in a pot or as a discount, for example on driveways.
Spider flowers are also ideal as annuals Underplanting in summer. It can provide shade on the ground for many plants, such as roses, and thus prevents other plants from suffering from the heat. In addition, it is not particularly attractive for most pests, which means that it can also be used for pest defense itself.
Due to the fact that it is not hardy, it hardly makes any work after the first frost. The leftovers are simply disposed of on the compost and your beds are cleared.
The spider flower is only partially suitable as a Cut flower. It should be put in the water immediately after cutting, otherwise it will wither. It does not get along with other plants in the vase due to the toxic ingredients.
