Guide to growing Primadonna Flower Collection
Growing guide – How to succeed with your summer flowers
Growing summer flowers is about creating a colorful place that invites enjoyment with all the senses. The flowers attract pollinators, create harmony and give you the opportunity to harvest your own bouquets from the garden all summer long.
Here you will find our comprehensive guide to growing the Primadonna Flower Collection – based on our own experiences, successes and mistakes over the years. We hope it inspires and helps you on your way to a flourishing garden!
1. Choose the right location
Summer flowers love sun – give them as much sun as possible.
Place taller varieties at the back of the flowerbed or flower bed so that they do not shade lower flowers.
Read the seed bag for the correct planting distance.
2. Prepare the growing site
As May approaches, it is time for final planting/direct sowing of the flowers in this collection. Before then, the growing site needs to be properly prepared. All flowers in the collection can be grown both in pallet collars and in flower beds/open ground.
Cultivate in pallet collar
A standard pallet collar (80 × 120 cm) holds approximately 200 liters of soil.
For best results – use a double pallet collar so the plants get more soil depth.
Soil recipe for a double pallet collar:
5 bags of potting soil
2 bags of cow manure
1 bag of biochar
Mix everything well for a porous, nutrient-rich and moisture-retaining soil.
Grow in existing flowerbed (open field)
Prepare the soil carefully:
Clear away all weeds.
Loosen the soil 20–30 cm for good root development.
Basic fertilizer with pelleted chicken manure/vegetable fertilizer (dosage according to instructions on the bag), well-rotted manure (1–3 liters/m²).
Improve the soil with compost, bark mulch or biochar.
3. Soil and nutrition
Use quality soil and make sure the soil is well fertilized.
Fertilize regularly during the season for vigorous growth and long flowering.
4. Protect against cold
Summer flowers are sensitive to frost. Plant out only when the risk of frost has passed. Use non-woven fabric on chilly nights.
5. Protect against snails
Snails are most active at dusk and after rain – remove them manually.
Snail pellets can be used as a supplement.
6. Watering & care
Water regularly and keep the soil evenly moist.
If you are going away – arrange a flower watch or use an irrigation system with a timer.
Harvesting summer flowers – How to make them last longer
· Harvest in the morning when the stems are supple.
· Use sharp and clean secateurs.
· Cut above a leaf attachment and new flowers will appear quickly.
· Put the flowers in cold water with a splash of vinegar and a little sugar.
· Remove leaves that end up below the water surface.
Quick Guides: How to succeed with the flowers in the Primadonna Flower Collection
Sunflower
Pre-cultivation/direct sowing : Sunflowers can be pre-cultivated indoors for earlier flowering. Pre-cultivate in growing briquettes from April-May according to the instruction sheet. The sunflowers are planted out when the risk of frost is over. The sunflower can also be direct sown in its growing location when the soil has warmed up in May.
Growing position : The sunflower thrives in a sunny position (about 7 hours of sun/day).
Soil : Plant in well-fertilized, nutrient-rich soil for best results.
Support : The sunflower grows tall and stately and requires plant support to prevent it from breaking. Use a support stake to tie the sunflower to.
Nutrition : Feed a few times during the season for long and beautiful flowering.
Amaranth
Pre-cultivation/direct sowing : Amaranth can be pre-cultivated indoors for earlier flowering. Pre-cultivate in growing briquettes from March-April according to the instruction sheet. Amaranths are planted out when the risk of frost is over. Amaranth can also be direct sown in its growing location when the soil has warmed up in May.
Growing position : Amaranth thrives in a sunny position (about 7 hours of sun/day).
Soil : Plant in well-fertilized, nutrient-rich soil for best results.
Support : Amaranth grows tall and stately and requires plant support to prevent it from breaking. Use a support stake to tie the flower to.
Nutrition : Feed a few times during the season for long and beautiful flowering.