When the cold winter ends and the warmer spring begins, gardens and home interiors are invaded with a beautiful flower. This flower is the campanula carpathica. Its common name is campanula or bluebells and it has a flashing blue color that serves as decoration. These flowers are very abundant and a good choice if we want to flood our garden and interiors with color.
Do you want to know how to take care of the campanula carpathica so that your garden shines with beauty? In this post you will find everything you need
General characteristics
This plant belongs to the genus of phanerogamic plants that has with more than 1500 species. These flowers prefer the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere to grow. They are favored by the warmer temperatures in spring. The size can range from 5 centimeters only in the coldest areas to 2 meters in height areas. Warmer regions are needed for optimal growth.
In this case, the campanula carpathica is a plant that reaches a size of 10-25cm. It is grown every two years, although in areas where the climate is warmer and with less rainfall it is considered a perennial plant.
Its stems are green and the leaves of different shapes. In the most common, we find elongated shapes, heart-shaped, serrated, lanceolate, round, dark green, glaucous green, light green or grayish green. Its bearing is creeping and its flowers are bell-shaped (hence its common name). The flowers can be estrelladas, slightly hanging, white, lilac, blue, pink, violet or purple
When this plant is in the wild, they grow in areas where access is more difficult. They are found near some mosses attached to stony ground. For this reason, the campanula is considered a pioneer plant for opening the way to the growth of other plants.
It is native to the Carpathian Mountains (hence the name campanula carpathica).
Requirements of the campanula carpathica
Thanks to the fact that it is a plant with rustic characteristics, its care and cultivation is not very complicated. It can be grown both in pots and in the ground. It is important that the location in which we put it has shade. The sun’s rays can be very damaging to your tissues and end up dying.
As for irrigation, it needs abundant irrigation (especially in the warmer season) but without reaching waterlogging. It is preferable that the plant is always kept at a suitable humidity level. For the season of higher temperatures, it is advisable to alternate watering with liquid fertilizer. For the rest of the year it is better not to pay them.
In the colder times it is better to water them less so that they do not get waterlogged. A sprayer can be used to gently water and keep it moist. It is important that the mulch remains moist so that the plant can acquire its nutrients.
If we want to use something other than mulch, we can use a plate with stones and water and place the pot on top. We must be careful that the water is not in contact with the base of the pot.
Flowering and pruning of bluebells
The bluebell or campanula carpathica begins to bloom when the hottest temperatures of spring arrive. Although it is his growing season, it is in summer when it reaches its maximum splendor.
It is advisable to prune it so that its flowering continues continuously throughout the summer. Pruning should be done as the flowers begin to wilt. To do this, we will use sharp blade scissors to avoid damaging the stems. Experts recommend disinfecting the instruments used to carry out pruning. This is done by heating them over a fire. This will prevent the cut stems from becoming infected in any way.
Pruning should leave the branches of plants with a height of 7 cm. By disinfecting our objects we will be giving the campanula more strength and vigor to be ready for its next growing season.
Plagues and diseases
Usually, the campanula carpathica It is not a plant that is exposed to pests or diseases. When the leaves of the plant turn yellow and wilt it is due to lack of watering. In this case, We will remove the withered parts and improve the irrigation and humidity of the pot. If, on the other hand, it does not flower and has a duller appearance, it will be due to an excess of watering. We remember that this plant is very sensitive to humidity and waterlogging.
If the plant is withered by excessive watering, before giving it up for loss we can treat it. It is suggested to remove the plant from the pot, cut the withered roots and disinfect it with the sharp and hot scissors.
Multiplication and reproduction
To multiply our campanula we can do it in several ways. The first is through seeds. This form of reproduction is the least indicated and recommended, since with the genetic modifications that the species possesses, it is likely that we will obtain plants that are different from the mother plant.
The second and most convenient way is by cuttings. We use the stems that we extract from other plants to reproduce it. The cuttings should be about 10 cm long. We remove the lower leaves with a well-sharpened instrument. Then we place the end that we have cut as close to the knot as possible. This is done to favor the birth of the roots. We can also use a rhizogen.
On the other hand, in a new pot, we prepare a compost made of peat and coarse sand to plant the cuttings. Once we place them, we cover the macerator with a plastic bag to avoid contamination. It is important that the plant It is at about 15 degrees of temperature and in the shade. Otherwise it will not be able to survive.
The appearance of new shoots will indicate that the reproduction has been a success. That is when we can remove the bag and place the pot in a more illuminated place.
The campanula carpathica It is a plant of great beauty that you cannot miss in your garden in spring. What are you waiting to get one?
