A textured bloom that stands tall in your garden rows with a naturally branching habit. Beautiful as a cut flower and keeps its brilliant color as it dries. We use a lot of strawflowers for wedding personal flowers, like crowns, bouts, corsages.
Blooms are a fiery orange with flecks of red and gold.
Approximate Seeds per Packet: 100
Variety/Hardiness: Annual
Sunlight: Full sun
Mature Height: 36-40"
Germination: 7-10 days at 70-75°F (21-24°C)
Sowing:
Transplant (recommended): Start seeds 4-6 weeks before the last frost. Do not cover the seed as light is required for germination. Harden off and transplant out after danger of frost has passed. Bottom water or mist to avoid displacing soil and covering seeds.
Direct Seeding: Only if you have a long season! Direct sow after the threat of the last frost has passed.
Care: Strawflower prefers well-draining soil. May benefit from support in windy areas.
Harvesting:
Fresh: Harvest when 2-3 layers of petals have unfolded but before flowers fully open to reveal center. When cutting, cut deep into the plant to encourage branching and long stems for future growth. Strip off any foliage that would fall below the water line of your vessel to prevent bacteria growth in the water. Adding flower preservative in the water will prolong their vase life.
Dried: Harvest in same manner as with fresh flowers. Hang to dry in a dark, well-ventilated area. When harvesting for dried flowers, it is particularly important to avoid over-mature blooms because they will continue to open during the drying process.