The strawflowers (Xerochrysum bracteatum), which are extremely popular not only in beds but also as dried flowers, are not hardy and are therefore only cultivated as annuals in our latitudes. However, they can easily be grown from seed every year.
How do I harvest and use strawflower seeds?
Strawflower seeds can easily be taken from spent flower heads by cutting off the fruiting body, letting it dry and carefully pulling out the columnar achenes. Sow indoors in March and enjoy as beautiful bed or dried flowers.
What do strawflower seeds look like?
Straw flowers form, depending on the variety,columnar achenes (nut-shaped closing fruits) with a smooth or papillose surface. Their bristly down falls off quite early compared to other daisy family plants.
Can I harvest strawflower seeds myself?
From thede-bloomed flower headsyou can easilytake seeds yourself. Each flower produces numerous closing fruits that are capable of germinating. When harvesting, proceed as follows:
- Cut off the fruiting body with scissors.
- Let it dry in an open dish for another day or two.
- Carefully pluck out the narrow seeds.
- Keep these in a labeled paper bag until next spring.
- Since the seeds are not frost hardy, they should be stored warm.
When is the best time to harvest strawflower seeds?
Strawflowers bloom from July to the end of September; Accordingly, the first flower heads will fadealready at the end of July. You can take seeds from these for sowing in spring.
Can I also buy strawflower seeds?
You can get the seeds of these pretty perennialsin any well-stocked gardening store,but alsoonline. Strawflower seeds are part of the fairly inexpensive standard range every garden center.
How is strawflower propagated by seeds?
Straw flowers will besown indoors from March:
- To do this, fill bowls with potting soil onto which you sow the seeds with some space between the individual grains.
- Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil if necessary, as the strawflower is a light germinator.
- Moisten with a sprayer, cover with a hood and place in a bright, approximately 20 degree warm place.
- After about three weeks, the plants have formed two pairs of leaves and are pricked out.
Does the strawflower sow itself?
If the strawflower feels comfortable in its location,canitthat self-sowing will work. However, the seeds of the strawflower are not completely frost-proof, so the attempt is only worthwhile in mild locations.
Tip
Straw flowers for bright dry bouquets
Straw flowers don't lose their beautiful color even when they dry. For this purpose, cut the flowers while they are still in the bud stage, as they bloom during the drying process and the light center does not turn an unsightly brown. The stems are dried hanging with the heads down in a sunny but warm, airy place.
