Maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonica) creates colourful displays of red flowers on long, straight stalks. At maturity, maltese cross reaches a height of 3 feet and grows out to around 15-inches. The rosette-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies throughout mid-summer and early. This flower tolerates many different conditions, and grows nicely in Sunset’s Environment Zones 4 through 24.
Growing Problems
Cross tolerates shade or sun, but grows best in areas that receive sunlight. Specimens planted in areas that are heavily-shaded tend to create elongated stems which will require staking to stay completely upright. Cross grows in most soil types including soils having a large focus of clay, loam or sand. It could tolerate moderately acidic or alkaline soils having a pH between 6.5 and 7.5.
Fertilization
In soil heavy in sand or clay, include fertilizer to promote development. Vibrant flowers will be promoted by applying mild doses of fertilizer high. Avoid unless your soil is nitrogen deficient, using a fertilizer. Leaf and stem development is promoted by nitrogen in the soil in the expense of flower production. Check your backyard soil to make sure it is not deficient in nitrogen, phosphorous or potassium before you start planting. Use fertilizer to include the lacking nutritional elements in case your soil is deficient in nutritional elements.
Watering
Water your maltese cross frequently to stop the soil from becoming dry. Use water to keep without saturating the floor, the soil moist. During summer, use a layer of mulch across the bottom of your flowers to enhance moisture retention.
Pruning
Maltese cross normally flowers from late spring to midsummer. Flowers which have faded or gone to seed encourages your maltese cross to make new flowers through the entire growing season. Where they satisfy the stem, sever aged flowers or seed pods at their base. Make your cut to the stem in case your cross has grown tall enough that it’s bending under it own weight. Pruning an outdated flower as well as your cross will be encouraged by a portion of of the stem beneath it while remaining up right again to flower. It might take several weeks to your flower to re cover, should you prune a big section of the stem.
Considerations
Plant your maltese cross flowers a-T least six inches aside to avoid over crowding. Gardens with loamy s Oil that is abundant will advertise stems mo-Re than 3 toes lengthy and hefty foliage that could cause your maltese cross to droop from extortionate fat. It’s possible for you to stake your cross prune it to handle its peak and motivate flower manufacturing, or to avoid it from drooping.