Care tips
Their frugal modesty has not least contributed to the worldwide popularity of the Jungfer im Grünen. The care program is therefore pocket-sized:
- If it is dry, water the flowers in the morning or in the evening
- Fertilization is not necessary in the bed
- Fertilize in the pot every 4 weeks from June until the end of flowering
also read
- Jungfer im Grünen closely related to black cumin
- Jungfer im Grünen thrives in almost any location
- Jungfer im Grünen - location, sowing, care
The annual Nigella damascena takes care of the reproduction itself by developing numerous seed heads and distributing them in the garden. If this is not desired, cut off the withered plants in good time near the ground.
Which location is suitable?
Nigella damascena found its way from the Mediterranean region to the cottage gardens of Central Europe. Their origin signals the location conditions that the Jungfer in the country attaches great importance to. In sunny, windless locations, the flower shows itself in its best floral form throughout the summer. Ideally the soil is fresh, loosely humic, with a medium level of nutrients.
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What soil does the plant need?
In the great outdoors, the virgin colonizes almost any soil. Nevertheless, the delicate summer beauty has her special preferences. If you delight the flower with a fresh, well-drained and humus-rich soil, it will achieve its optimum. In the sandy, poor soil, the flowers mostly fall short of expectations.
What is the best time to plant?
With a view to the easy sowing and quick germination in the bed, the effort of growing behind glass is unnecessary. From the end of March to mid-June, sow the flower seeds in time-shifted subsequent sowns. In winter-mild locations, another time window for sowing opens in September in order to induce an extra early flowering period.
Cut virgin in the green properly
Tall growing varieties make excellent long-lasting cut flowers. When the morning dew has evaporated, cut off the flower stems that have just bloomed. In addition, the distinctive seed heads give a dry bouquet a rustic look. To do this, cut off the faded summer flowers when the fruit follicles have formed. Tied in small bouquets and dried upside down in an airy place, the maidens are transformed into eye-catching dried flowers in the green.
Jungfer in the green pour
A normal Central European summer provides enough rain to quench the maiden's thirst in the green. With prolonged drought, the delicate flower should be watered. In the early morning or in the evening, pour the water from the spout directly onto the root disc. In pot culture, on the other hand, there is a need for regular watering, as the substrate dries out more quickly.
Jungfer fertilize properly in the green
If the flower thrives outdoors, the nutrient requirements are met in the common garden soil. In this case, there is no need to add additional fertilizer. From June until the end of the flowering period you can only administer a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants once a month in the tub or balcony box.
Pests
While the summer flower is largely spared from diseases, the ubiquitous aphids often attack the delicate leaflets. With a view to easy sowing, we recommend that you do not make any effort to control the pests. Instead, tear up the infected plants and sow fresh seeds.
Virgin in the green in the pot
In the pot and flower box (€ 13.18 at Amazon *), dwarf varieties give us a lot of joy throughout the summer. In March / April, sow the seeds directly on the potting soil and sift the seeds thinly with substrate. If kept constantly slightly moist, the first seedlings will emerge within 10-20 days. Then separate the strongest seedlings at a distance of 8-10 cm. Water regularly when the soil is dry. From June, the monthly application of liquid fertilizer has a vitalizing effect on the maiden in the country.
Is virgin poisonous in the green?
The flower from the genus black cumin (Nigella) has made a name for itself in natural medicine as a remedy for stomach and intestinal problems. The contained alkaloid damascenin unfolds its effect, which is not contained in the real black cumin. The seed oil is also used in the cosmetics industry. However, it is precisely this alkaloid that causes mild to moderate symptoms of intoxication if consumed in excess. Therefore, the ground seeds are no longer used to refine desserts, regardless of their pronounced woodruff taste.
How is the maiden sown in the green?
Save yourself the cumbersome cultivation behind glass, because the seeds of a spinster in the green reliably germinate directly in the bed. This is how the sowing works:
- From the end of March onwards, prepare the soil in a fine-crumbly location in a sunny location
- Spread the seeds broadly and work them in slightly with the rake
- Moisten the seedbed with a fine shower
- Cover with leaves or protect with a close-knit net
Depending on the temperature conditions, germination will take 10 to 20 days. You later separate the strongest seedlings at a distance of 15 to 20 cm. If you plant subsequent seeds with a delay until mid-June, the flowering period will extend well into autumn. In regions with mild winter conditions, autumn sowing in September is rewarded with early flowering the following year.
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Trivia
The maiden in the green is still one of the classic symbolic flowers. In order to announce their rejection to an applicant on bare feet in a non-verbal way, young women send the spurned man a bouquet of maidens in the countryside. If the ladies want to emphasize your rejection, add eyebright and chicory.
Nice varieties
- Miss Jekyll: a charming variety that stands out in the summer garden with bright blue flowers; ideal for large areas; 40 cm
- Mulberry Rose: A splendid mix of semi-double flowers in beautiful shades of pink, purple and white; 40-60 cm
- Alba: a towering white summer flower; nice for the vase jewelry in country style; 50-60 cm
- Blue Midget: Compact, blue dwarf variety that trumps in pots, flower boxes and as a border; 20 cm
- African Bride: Premium variety with white flowers, black center and deep red fruits; 60-90 cm
