How to Grow Lupins: A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners
Introduction
Lupins are beautiful, showy flowers that are easy to grow and make a great addition to any garden. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, and they bloom from late spring to early summer.
Choosing a Location
Lupins prefer to grow in full sun or partial shade, and they need well-drained soil. They are not tolerant of wet or soggy soil, so if your garden has poor drainage, you may need to amend the soil with compost or sand.
Planting
Lupins can be planted in the spring or fall. When planting, space the plants about 2 feet apart. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Place the lupin in the hole and backfill with soil, tamping down gently to remove any air pockets. Water the lupin deeply after planting.
Watering
Lupins need regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Water the plants deeply, allowing the water to penetrate to the roots. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
Fertilizing
Lupins do not need a lot of fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer can be applied once a month during the growing season.
Deadheading
Deadheading is the process of removing spent flowers. Deadheading lupins encourages the plants to produce more flowers. To deadhead a lupin, simply cut off the spent flower stalk at the base.
Dividing
Lupins can be divided in the spring or fall. To divide a lupin, dig up the plant and carefully divide the root ball into two or more sections. Replant the divisions in well-drained soil.
Pests and Diseases
Lupins are susceptible to a few pests and diseases, including aphids, slugs, and snails. Aphids can be controlled with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Slugs and snails can be controlled with baits or traps.
Troubleshooting
My lupins are drooping.
Lupins can droop if they are overwatered, underwatered, or if they have recently been transplanted. Check the soil and if it is dry, give the plant a good drink. If the soil is wet, ease off watering for a few days. If you have recently transplanted your lupin, water it every day for a few days until you see signs of new growth. Any drooping parts should perk up, but tall flower stems may need to be cut back.
My lupins are not flowering.
Lupins need full sun to partial shade to flower. If they appear healthy but are not flowering, they may not be getting enough light. If you can, give them more sun. For the best results, try to relocate the plants on a cloudy day and water thoroughly to reduce the shock of transplanting.
My lupins turned brown and died after flowering.
It is not normal for lupins to go brown and die after flowering. Normally, they stay green for a while and then die down after the first frosts. Your plant may have exhausted itself by flowering or may not have had enough water or nutrients during the growing period. Give the soil a good watering and mulch, and it may come back next year.
My lupin stems are flopping to the ground. Is this normal?
If the flower spikes and some leaves are upright but the lower leaves are lying flat on the ground, this is nothing to worry about. This can happen in dry summers and may also be the result of over-feeding, which causes weak, sappy growth. Give your lupin a good drink and ease up on the plant food, if you have been using any. You may wish to remove the lower leaves that are resting on the ground, as they could be harboring slugs and snails.
Conclusion
Lupins are a beautiful and easy-to-grow addition to any garden. By following these tips, you can enjoy these showy flowers for years to come.
