Planting tap candle - Instructions and tips

So that the steppe candle later fits harmoniously into the overall picture of your garden, a few things must be taken into account when planting.

The steppe candle (Eremurus) with its flower clusters, reminiscent of candles, causes admiration in the bed. In the summer garden, the flowering perennial can be combined with other sun-hungry plants in a pretty arrangement. So that you can enjoy the flowers, the foundation stone for healthy growth should be laid during planting. If you follow the following tips and advice, you will enjoy this exotic beauty.

Tap Candle - Appearance and Spread

Steppe candles are perennial plants that occur in a wide variety of varieties and can reach between one and more than two meters in height. The leaves appear in the shape of a rosette or are clustered together. Some species bloom in early summer, others only show their impressive flower candles in July. The flower is particularly striking and rises like a pointed tower. The flowers start to open from bottom to top. The steppe candle forms capsule fruits that contain the brown-black seeds.

The original home of the steppe candle is Asia. There it occurs primarily on the plateaus of Afghanistan or Iran. The natural range extends to the west in Turkey. To the east it reaches into the Chinese area.

Plant steppe candle - choice of location

The steppe candle mostly grows on plateaus and grass steppes and thus on open and full-sun terrain. A sunny location is essential for the perennial. Only here steppe candles feel comfortable and will thank them with a rich flower. The plant needs space in the perennial border because the roots spread out in a star shape and would otherwise displace other plants. The steppe candle feels less comfortable in the shade of bushes or shrubs.

Plant steppe candle - substrate selection

The right substrate is particularly important for the successful cultivation of the steppe candle. The soil should contain enough nutrients. The plants would not get too heavy a soil. By adding compost, sand or grit, you make the soil more permeable.

➔ Tip: The steppe candle has delicate and slightly brittle bulbs that should be placed in loose soil.

Tap candles do not tolerate waterlogging. This is another reason to look for a well drained and not too heavy soil.

Plant steppe candle - step by step

The steppe candle is preferably planted between September and the first frosts. The soil is then deeply warmed and the roots find ideal conditions to grow well. So the plant can develop well before it sprouts in spring.

1. Select location
2. Prepare the soil
3. Dig out the planting hole
4. Lay drainage

5. Carefully insert the bulb
6. Fill in the substrate
7. Lightly press on the earth
8. Pour on the ground

Care should be taken when planting the steppe candle. The delicate bulbs can easily be damaged during planting. The planting pit should about 40 centimeters deep be excavated and also go sufficiently wide, since the plants spread the roots in a star shape. The substrate should be mixed with compost or horn chips and thus upgraded. A drainage of gravel or sand on the bottom of the planting hole protects against waterlogging. The roots are spread out in a fan shape and covered with earth. The tuber's eye should not be more than 15 centimeters underground. If the planting hole has been closed, the bulb should be watered sufficiently. Since the planting usually takes place before the onset of winter, the planting site should be covered with brushwood or sapwood, so that the tubers are not damaged over the winter.

Bring plants grown in the pot into the bed

If the tubers were brought forward in the plant pot, you can move outdoors between spring and autumn. The hill planting is an advantage. If the steppe candle is raised slightly in the bed, the water can drain off better and there is less waterlogging.

Plant steppe candle - tips at a glance

measure	explanation
Find location	Tap candles need a sunny place. They are happy to be protected and do not want to be overwhelmed by neighboring beds.
Choose substrate	The earth should be permeable and loose. The substrate should also contain sufficient nutrients. This can be achieved by adding compost or horn chips.
Plant out the tuber	The tubers are delicate and the roots must not be kinked or broken when inserted into the ground. The eye should not be more than 15 centimeters underground. Drainage in the ground protects against waterlogging.

The steppe candle in the bed

When planting, it should be borne in mind that steppe candles start to pull in their leaves while they are showing their pretty flowers. This is not particularly attractive, but can be concealed if the suitable bed neighbors are selected. Steppe candles look great on the side of verbena, irises or hogweed.

A harmonious overall picture is also created in interaction with grasses. A combination with feather grass or fescue is particularly attractive in natural gardens. A particularly attractive trio is created from steppe candle, grasses and roses.

Tap candles stand out from dark bushes or hedges in a particularly decorative way.

➔ Tip: The tap candle is also attractive as a cut flower. Combine with delphinium or enjoy different types of steppe candles in large vases or pretty country jugs.