Successful cultivation of sternbergias

Sternbergias are rather easy to maintain once in place, provided you follow the rules of its planting.

Exposure: the sun in full face

These bulbous plants are in the nature of plants of full light which fear neither heat nor drought in summer. Unlike crocuses which like the coolness, sternbergias, on the other hand, need a very sunny exposure .
In winter, their foliage must therefore be well lit away from the shade cast by other plants.

The rule of 5

The natural growth of tufts, after many years, leads to the multiplication of bulbs, which are more numerous, but smaller and therefore less flowering.
Every 5 years, in summer, dig up the sternbergias, divide the root ball, immediately replant the chips in groups of 5, every 10 cm, at the same depth.

The earth passed by worms

Sternbergias appreciate rich, somewhat humus-bearing soil, but hate manure, even partially decomposed, or compost that is not ripe enough.
To encourage them, add 250 g / m² of vermicompost or a composted amendment of the Brown Gold type.

The decimeter

Determine the planting depth of the sternbergias based on the soil texture. The base of the bulb should be 7 or 8 cm underground in clay soil (even stony) and between 10 and 12 cm in sandy soil. Too buried, the plant flowers poorly.
Also avoid mulching it .

Trust

Once they have found their place, sternbergias are easy-going plants, but they need time to take hold. Not seeing them flower for 2 years after planting is not abnormal, as long as the foliage remains healthy and abundant.