Transplanting Balloon Flowers

October 30, 2024 Post a Comment

Transplanting balloon flowers

Balloon flowers have a long taproot and don't like to be transplanted, so this isn't a great plant to divide and share. If you do divide them, don't dig up the whole plant. Instead, slice off a piece of it with a knife, taking care to get a piece of the root.

When can balloon flowers be transplanted?

From a nursery: In the first year, move your transplants to your garden in early spring. If you plant during another season, they may not bloom until the second year. Dig a hole the same as a seed start, keeping pot soil and ground soil level with one another.

How do you divide balloon flowers?

Dig around the plant at least 12 inches (31 cm.) away from the main clump, to allow the least disturbance to the main roots. Slice the clump in half and move both halves to their new spots, keeping the roots moist until you bury them.

Does the balloon flower spread?

The roots are not aggressive, but this plant self-sows with vigor, spreading via new shoots that pop up in the fertile ground each spring. Plant sizes vary. The true botanical species, as found in the wild in its native lands, may reach or even exceed 36 inches tall and 18 inches wide at maturity.

Does a balloon flower come back every year?

Balloon Flowers are easy to grow, long-lived perennials. Long-lasting star-shaped flowers emerge from balloon-like buds in summer. Balloon flower plants will occasionally repeat bloom in the fall when old flowers are removed.

What to do with balloon flowers after they bloom?

Simply snip off the flower as it declines or break it off with your fingers. I prefer clipping, as it leaves a clean break. Take the top couple of leaves off at the same time to deadleaf.

Can you transplant balloon flowers in fall?

If you find you absolutely must transplant your balloon flower, lift the clumps in either spring or fall. You will need to dig deeply to avoid damaging the thick roots, which reach way down into the soil.

Should I deadhead my balloon flowers?

You can go down as low as you want because it'll just branch out. And make new flowers in the fall.

How deep do you plant a balloon flower?

Barely cover the seeds with 1/16 inch of soil. Place the container in a warm location until the seeds germinate. After the weather has warmed, you can transplant the seedlings outdoors. If you plant seeds directly in your garden, do so after your last frost date, but know they likely won't flower in their first year.

Do balloon flowers reseed themselves?

Part of problem is that balloon flowers self-seed very fast. The plants could be deadheaded to prevent self-seeding but this is a nerve racking, time consuming task. Each single seed pod has to be clipped off in order to leave the remaining buds or open blossoms.

How do you winterize balloon flowers?

Typically, you can simply cover the plant in an inch or two of mulch to protect it, but you can also use compost or leaves that fall from the trees to cover the plants and keep them moist and warm all winter. When spring arrives, uncover the plant so that it can start to grow.

How long do balloon flowers live?

Balloon flowers reach a height of 12 to 20 inches and are ideal for rock gardens, mixed borders, and cutting gardens. Balloon flowers are also available in white and pink. Balloon flower is a long-lived, deer-resistant perennial that will last for many years if established.

Can balloon flowers grow in pots?

Balloon flower does well in containers and is great for cut flowers. It attracts butterflies and is a magnet for birds. The plant looks great as a border plant and is lovely in rock gardens.

Will balloon flowers survive winter?

In colder areas, balloon flower dies back to the ground in the winter. It's often one of the later flowers to emerge in the spring, so when growing balloon flower you may want to mark the spot somehow so you don't plant over it. If you want to start from seed, remember that it won't flower the first year.

How do you maintain balloon flowers?

It will thrive in sun or partial shade. It likes well-drained, slightly acidic soil; and although the balloon flower plant will tolerate dry conditions, it prefers (and needs) plenty of moisture. This cold hardy plant also prefers cooler conditions in summer, so afternoon shade is a good idea for warmer regions.

Do balloon flowers like coffee grounds?

Balloon flowers are cold hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4-8. The species prefers a soil pH around 6. Coffee grounds can be mixed in to acidify the soil.

Do balloon flowers need to be staked?

Balloon flowers prefer 1/2 to 1 inch of water per week from rainfall or watering, but they tolerate dry soil and will do well with much less water. They grow poorly in soggy soil, especially in the winter. The taller types benefit from staking as they mature and come into bloom.

Why is my balloon flower dying?

Recently, wilted or blighted balloon flower caused by root rot occurred frequently at high-density cultivation fields and more frequent rain and high amount of rainfalls as a result of climate changes predisposed balloon flower to the outbreaks of root rot in recent years.

What do balloon flowers symbolize?

Symbolism. The flower's five points give rise to a lot of local folklore. In Europe it represents the five senses, and the five elements according to ancient Greek philosophy. In Japan the Balloon flower appears on the coats of arms of important families, and Wicca believers see a pentagram in it.

Is a balloon flower indoor or outdoor?

Balloon flower prefers a light spot, and can even tolerate full sun. It requires a lot of water - don't allow the soil to dry out. Give it plant food once a week to encourage flowering. It can be placed indoors or outdoors in the warmer months.