Whether in the cottage garden or as a splash of color in the perennial bed: strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum) are among the most popular summer bloomers. Since they are annual plants, they have to be re-sown every year. We explain how to do this in this article.
When and how should you sow strawflowers?
Straw flowers can be grown indoors from March or sown outdoors after the Ice Saints. As light germinators, they only need a thin layer of soil and should be planted individually after germination.
When should strawflowers be sown?
It is advisable to prefer straw flowersin the house from March onwards. The seeds germinate quickly here and the plants have a head start in growth.
Straw flowers also germinate wellin the open ground. The right time for this isafter the Ice Saints, when the temperatures no longer fall permanently below 15 degrees during the day
How are the flowers sown?
The sowing is usually donein mini greenhouses filled with seed soil (€6.00 on Amazon) or in flower pots. The strawflowers are then pricked out and planted out as soon as the temperatures permit.
Do the following:
- Fill the flower pot or greenhouse with potting soil.
- Sprinkle the strawflower seeds thinly and cover them only very thinly with sifted soil.
- Wet carefully with a sprayer.
- Put a hood or a transparent plastic bag over it.
- Place in a bright, warm place.
- Air daily and water if necessary.
Do strawflowers have to be pricked?
Since strawflowers are sown over a large area, they need to be separatedabout three weeks after germination:
- Fill small flower pots with sowing soil.
- Drill holes in the ground with the pricking stick.
- Carefully lift straw flowers out of the cultivation container with the pricking stick.
- Place the seedling across the hole and gently push the roots in with the pricking stick.
- Press the substrate around the strawflower.
- Water with a watering can with a hair spray.
- Continue cultivation in a bright, sunny place.
Are strawflowers light or dark germinators?
Straw flowersare light germinators. For this reason, the seeds should only be covered with a very thin layer of potting soil. If there is too much substrate over the seed, the seed lacks the stimulus required for germination and the seed will not sprout.
Tip
Colorful dry bouquets of strawflowers
Because they retain their beautiful color even after drying, strawflowers are often arranged into dry arrangements. To do this, cut the flowers in the bud stage and tie them together. Hang the stems upside down. When completely dried, straw flowers last for many years.
