Troubleshooting
Common Centaury problems — and how to fix them
Common Centaury (Centaurium erythraea) is generally low-drama, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Damping off (seedlings)
Seedlings are highly susceptible to damping-off fungi in heavy, wet, or over-fertilised soils; sow on a thin layer of grit or sharp sand to improve surface drainage.
Failure to germinate or self-seed
Seeds require light to germinate — do not bury them; scatter thinly on the surface of bare, disturbed soil in autumn for best results.
Prevent common centaury problems before they start
Most common centaury issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Common Centaury problems — FAQ
Why is my common centaury damping off (seedlings)?
Seedlings are highly susceptible to damping-off fungi in heavy, wet, or over-fertilised soils; sow on a thin layer of grit or sharp sand to improve surface drainage.
Why is my common centaury failure to germinate or self-seed?
Seeds require light to germinate — do not bury them; scatter thinly on the surface of bare, disturbed soil in autumn for best results.