Planting saffron flowers - instructions and tips

In our part of the world, the saffron flower (Aristolochia) can usually only be planted in tubs. Find out why and how to do it.

The flowers, shaped like a whistle, gave this extraordinary plant from the rainforests of South America its name. The climbing plant with its large, heart-shaped leaves is not only a visual eye-catcher, it also offers reliable privacy protection, because the leaves of the Aristolochia, which can be up to 30 centimeters in size, are stacked on top of each other like roof tiles and reliably block prying eyes. You can read below what you need to consider when planting the bizarre plants and what other special features characterize the saffron.

Ordinar Pipe - small plant description

The pipe flower, or ghost plant, belongs to the particularly species-rich genus of the Easter Luza family. The genus includes more than 400 species. The original home of the climber's chanterelle is in the Brazilian jungle. Animals like to climb their strong tendrils. The flowers unite in several inflorescences. The sepals show a wide variety of colors, which can be greenish to reddish or brownish. The sepals are tubular and hairy on the inside. There are up to 50 seeds in each ovary chamber.

Aristolochia macrophylla durior
Growth Speed:	100 - 150 cm a year
Growth:	600 - 1000 cm
Growth:	200 - 600 cm
Root system:	Deep Roots
Location:	Sun to partial shade
Floor:	nutrient-rich, well-drained, humic, calcareous, sandy-loamy

Special features of the saffron

The pride and joy of this fast-growing climber are the flowers. Their shape is reminiscent of tobacco pipes. Depending on the variety, the flowers come in different sizes and can reach dimensions of up to half a meter. A special feature of most flowers is the unpleasant, reminiscent of feces or carrionSmell.

» Hint: The snipe flower doesn't stink. The smell only occurs at night and is only perceptible to humans if we smell the flower directly.

Because of the distinctive smell, insects are attracted and held in the flower tubes. However, the shackle flower is not a carnivorous plant. The cauldron trap opens again when the insects have done their pollination work and pollen covers the pistil.

Plant saffron flowers - find a suitable location

Since the saffron flower comes from the primeval forests of Brazil, it cannot be cultivated outdoors all year round in our latitudes. Only a few varieties of the climbing plant are hardy, the non-hardy specimens need a place in the bucket, which makes it easier to move to the winter quarters indoors.

A warm and bright location should be found for the exotic saffron. The plant does not need direct sunlight. A sunny location is tolerated, however, if the safflower receives sufficient watering. The plant feels particularly well in a sheltered location. In any case, it should be in a warm location.

If the temperature falls permanently below ten degrees, it's time to move to the winter quarters. The plants are bright and frost-free to overwinter. Temperatures between 10 and 15 degrees are ideal.

Planting saffron flowers - choosing the ideal substrate

The saffron lily is not very demanding on the soil. As long as the substrate is well drained, the exotic climber will do well with it.

» Tip: Perlite can be used to make the substrate more permeable.

Normal unit earth is quite suitable. It makes sense to mix the substrate with sand, clay and leaf soil. A soil that is too nutrient-rich does not do well for the saffron lily. Therefore, pure compost as a substrate should be avoided. If the compost is mixed with topsoil, the substrate is suitable.

Planting saffron flowers - step by step instructions

It is important to distinguish between hardy and non-hardy varieties. As already mentioned above, most of the saffron flowers are not hardy and are therefore planted in tubs.

Plant saffron in the pot

Select planter
Prepare substrate
Insert drainage
Insert plant

Fill substrate
Press the earth well
Water the plant
Attach trellis

A sufficiently large planter is required to keep the pots. The saffron needs a lot of space to develop a stable root system. The planter should have enough holes in the bottom so that the irrigation water can drain well and does not accumulate. Waterlogging is not tolerated by the exotic plants. Too much moisture attacks the roots and causes plants to rot.

Remedy against waterlogging creates a drainage in the bottom of the planter. To do this, simply cover the bottom of the vessel with shards of pottery or gravel and then fill in the substrate. The plant is placed in the middle of the planter and then the substrate is filled up. The substrate is pressed down well and the pipe flower is sufficiently watered. A climbing aid should already be attached when planting, because the Dutchman's sirgus grows quite quickly. Once the plant is potted, a suitable stand is sought. This can be on the balcony or terrace between May and September.

Some of the saffron species are hardy and can therefore be planted directly outdoors.

Planting saffron flowers outdoors

Select Location
Loosen soil
Prepare substrate
Water plant
Dig planting hole

Insert drainage
Insert plant
Close planting hole
Water the plant
Attach trellis

The location is chosen according to the needs of the plant. A partially shaded and sheltered location is preferable. The soil should first be thoroughly loosened. A well-drained substrate is important for the development of the safflower. Sand, gravel or perlite make the soil more permeable. While the planting hole is being dug to a sufficient size, place the saffron in a container of water. The plant is left there until no more air bubbles rise, then the roots have supplied themselves with sufficient moisture.

Before the plant is planted, a drainage made of potsherds or gravel must be placed in the ground. The pipe flower is then placed in the center of the planting hole and the substrate is filled in. Finally, the plant is watered well and also provided with a climbing aid.

Planting saffron flowers - hints at a glance

Activity	Explanation
Select Location	The jungle plant prefers a bright and warm location. DirectSunlight is not necessary, but is well tolerated with sufficient watering. A wind-protected location suits the Dutchman's saffron.
Prepare substrate	The most important thing when choosing a substrate is its permeability. It is therefore advisable to upgrade the soil with sand or perlite. Standard soil can be mixed with sand and clay.
Plant saffron	Mostly, saffron flowers are planted in tubs because they are not hardy varieties. When choosing a planter, it is important that the planter is of sufficient size. The saffron flower comes before planting easy to water. The climbing plant needs a climbing aid.

Repot Pipe Flower

If a sufficiently large planter has been chosen, the safflower does not have to be transplanted in the first two years. Even if the plant pot should still be sufficient beyond this period, regular repotting is an advantage, because the substrate in the plant pot is used up quite quickly.

During repotting, the plant not only gets a larger planter, but also new soil. The root ball can be checked on this occasion. Deficits caused by waterlogging or pest infestation quickly become apparent. Those wishing to propagate the plant can use transplanting to divide the root ball and replant separately.