Growing Monarda 'Blaustrumpf' (Bergamot 'Blaustrumpf')
justandnobodyelse
Posts: 128
Does anyone have any experience of growing this plant or Monarda's in general? I have been potting three of these on in the greenhouse since the start of the year, grown from bare roots. They will be going into my garden shortly as the greenhouse is getting incredibly hot of late! I have found the greenhouse (that came with the house) really useful in protecting young and small plants from the resident squirrels. if I either plant out or leave small pots outside within reach of the squirrels they will invariably dig around the plant, sometimes digging the entire plant out, killing a few. I don't think I own a pot that does not contain at least some peanuts. Sorry I am ranting, I am not getting on with the squirrels!
Back to my question, do they look healthy to anybody from the photographs? To me they looked a bit on the yellow side. (top picture) Also Is this the typical growth habit of the plant, the stems have become bent and look as if they are trying to form roots on contact with the soil. (middle and bottom picture) Is this the result of growing in the greenhouse, i do find that a lot of what I grow indoors does get a bit "leggy" but put them outside and they have to deal with the squirrels! As I have never grown them before I thought I would seek some advice. Thanks in advance for any pointers.
Posts
The habit is normal. They also produce runners just underground and spread from their centre (which will die eventually). A bit like mint and similar plants (they are in the mint family), not easy to contain if you want tidy. Easy to divide and propagate if you want more.