Erysimum Poem Mandarine Plug Plant

The plug plants should either be planted in pots and containers or directly in the ground. Plant them in finely prepared and enriched soil. Plant them as soon as possible after receiving them, in September-October. If the planned location is not yet ready or the conditions are not favourable for planting (heavy rain or excessively dry soil), you can let them grow in pots for 4 to 6 weeks. At planting or shortly after, you must pinch the tip of the plant between your thumb and index finger to remove the terminal bud and stimulate branching. This operation can be repeated until mid-October to obtain denser bushes.

In pots and containers, use a well-draining soil mix for flowering plants (for example, with a lot of bark or perlite) enriched with slow-release fertiliser. The top of the plug should be level with the soil. Water generously at planting and during the following weeks, as the plug plants can dry out quickly. However, be careful not to overwater! Make sure to use containers with drainage holes and empty the saucer 10 minutes after watering. Remember to water even during winter if it does not rain or if the container is placed in a sheltered location. Do not water during freezing periods.

From 3 weeks after planting and until the end of flowering, apply a liquid fertiliser for flowering plants 1 to 2 times a week with the watering water, even in winter (as long as watering is necessary).

The faded spikes can be cut with scissors to maintain a neat appearance, but this is not essential, as the flowering continues as long as the plant does not lack water. Once the flowering is over, the plants in pots can be replanted in the garden in full sun after being pruned by about 5cm (2in).