Multifunctional plant with floral pizzazz - the versatile bee pasture

Multifunctional plant with floral pizzazz - the versatile bee pasture

Care tips

The robust constitution of a phacelia requires little maintenance. If the weather is within normal parameters, the bee pasture is content with the natural rainfall. If, on the other hand, the summer comes with long-lasting drought, the summer flower receives enough water in the morning or evening hours. In potted culture, this can be the case every 1-2 days in a sunny location, as the substrate dries out quickly due to the exposed location. As a rule, no fertilization is required in the bed, with one or the other portion of compost proving beneficial for a lush abundance of flowers. In the planter, fertilize with a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks from May until the end of the flowering period. The plant freezes at temperatures below - 8 degrees Celsius.Leave the stems and leaves on the ground as natural winter protection and then rake them into the ground in spring as an efficient soil conditioner.

also read

  • The heyday of Phacelia
  • The germination period of the Phacelia
  • Sow Phacelia yourself in the garden

Which location is suitable?

In the sunny to partially shaded location, the bee pasture thrives in almost every earth, as long as waterlogging is not dominant there. If you struggle with fallow beds or gaps in the kitchen garden, Phacelia transform these layers into a blue-purple sea of ​​flowers.

What soil does the plant need?

Büschelschön do not make any significant demands on the nature of the soil. The pH value is just as secondary for 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. Phacelia does not thrive only in waterlogged earth. For cultivation in the bucket, we recommend a commercially available potting soil, which is enriched with a little sand.

When is the flowering time?

The main flowering season extends from June to September, with the individual flower gradually opening its individual flowers over a period of 3 to 4 weeks and then withering. Seeds placed in April will be in the limelight from June with blue blooms. During the summer, freshly sown seeds quickly transform into blooming bee pasture within 4 weeks. Even phacelia seeds planted in August will flower in the same year.

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Cut phacelia properly

The task assigned to a bee pasture defines the time and execution of the cut. We have put together for you all the occasions when phacelia are cut:

  • As green manure: Cut or mow close to the ground, shortly before the beginning of the flowering period
  • As a vase decoration: cut the most beautiful stems when the first single flowers open
  • As a bee pasture: after the first frost, cut off the withered shoots and rake them into the ground

Since the cluster flower is not closely related to any classic crop, it is ideal for inter-sowing. In this case, integrate the phacelia into the crop rotation and cut off at the appropriate time to work the withered parts of the plant into the soil.

Pour Phacelia

The robust bee pasture is satisfied with the natural rainfall. Only water the summer flowers early in the morning or in the evening if the drought continues. Cultivated in a pot or flower box, (€ 13.19 at Amazon *) the earth dries out faster. Check every few days with a thumb test whether the substrate has dried so that you can water if necessary.

Fertilize Phacelia properly

If the bee pasture thrives in normal garden soil, there is no need to add fertilizer. On the contrary, the summer flower acts as a green manure by enriching the soil with nitrogen. In the narrowly limited substrate volume of pots and balcony boxes, the nutrient reserves are of course used up quickly. If deficiency symptoms appear here, such as dull colors and sagging leaves, apply a liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.

Propagate Phacelia

With a view to the very easy sowing, alternative methods of propagation for the bee pasture are of no concern. Once the flower thrives in the garden, it will sow itself diligently anyway. In this case, leave the withered stems in the bed until winter. The next spring the offspring sprout in large numbers as if by magic.

Phacelia in the pot

In the pot, the rustic bee pasture sets decorative accents in the natural and farm garden. Fill the container with a mix of potting soil and sand to sow the seeds directly. Since these are dark germs, sieve the seeds with substrate 1-2 cm thick and carefully water them. In a sunny to partially shaded location, at 12-18 degrees Celsius, germination takes place within 1-2 weeks. Your Phacelia will be in full bloom after just 4-5 weeks. Keep the substrate slightly moist at all times. Every 3-4 weeks the swarmed bee friend is happy about a dose of organic liquid fertilizer.

Is Phacelia Poisonous?

Although the bee pasture serves as a green feed and provides delicious nectar, the flower is not free from health concerns. The phacelioids contained in the plant parts can trigger contact allergies. We therefore recommend wearing protective gloves for all planting and maintenance work.

How do you sow Phacelia?

From April to August the time window is open for the sowing of bee pasture. Prepare the well-drained garden soil finely crumbly in the sunny to partially shaded location. Ideally, mix the very fine seeds with some sand for even distribution and spread them in a broad cast. A dosage of 2 grams per square meter has proven itself in practice. Since these are dark germs, rake the seeds 1-2 cm deep into the soil. Finally, pour the seedbed with a fine sprinkler and stretch a close-meshed insect net over it to protect against pecking birds and voracious pests. At temperatures between 12 and 18 degrees Celsius, germination takes 7 to 14 days.

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Nice varieties

  • Blue Bonnet: Very beautiful bee pasture with deep blue flowers, which is also ideal as a vase decoration
  • Tansy phacelia: The variety functions from a decorative green manure plant with lavender-colored flower clusters; 70 cm
  • Summertime Blues: Pretty two-tone Phacelia, the white flowers of which are adorned with a blue border; 40-60 cm