Strawflower Antique Mix

To be on the safe side, place 2 to 6 seeds into each cell of your seed starter tray. Strawflower naturally has a lower germination rate, which is a typical characteristic of the species. We intentionally include a larger quantity of seeds in the packet to ensure you still grow plenty of beautiful seedlings despite this trait.

Until stronger seedlings grow from your sowing, it is absolutely crucial to water only from below. Simply place the seed starter tray or pot into a bowl of water and let the substrate absorb moisture via capillary action. If you were to water from above, there is a risk that the tiny seeds lying on the surface could be washed to the edges or completely washed away (there are an impressive 1,720 seeds in one gram).

We recommend starting Strawflower seeds 4 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost, ideally between March and June. Sow the seeds on the surface of the substrate—do not cover them with soil, as they need sunlight to germinate! To maintain moisture, it is ideal to cover the sowing with a thin layer of vermiculite, which allows light to pass through but prevents drying out. For successful germination, maintain a temperature between 20 and 24 degrees Celsius. The germination period is usually 7 to 14 days.

Strawflower Antique Mix is a specially curated blend from the Loukykvět farm that offers a wonderful range of pink tones. You can look forward to silvery pastel pink, playful bubblegum, and vibrant fuchsia or raspberry colors. The flowers reach a size of about 5 cm. If you want all these amazing shades to be represented evenly in your flower bed, we recommend sowing the entire packet of seeds at once.

Definitely yes! Strawflowers are relatively easy to grow and are classified as suitable for beginners. Just remember the most important rules: do not cover the seeds with soil, water from the bottom during germination, and provide plenty of sun after transplanting them outdoors. They will reward you with an incredible number of beautiful flowers with minimal subsequent care.

Yes, we definitely recommend support. Since this annual grows to a relatively large height of 80 to 100 cm, the tall stems full of heavy flowers could break or bend during strong winds or heavy rain. It is best to install support, such as stretched gardening netting or sturdy bamboo stakes with twine, preventively right after planting them in the garden bed.

Once the seeds germinate and the first green leaves appear, it is good to lower the growing temperature to 18 to 21 degrees Celsius. Strawflower does not mind a cooler environment of around 16 degrees at all; in fact, this makes the seedlings stronger and more resilient. Only transplant them to an outdoor bed once all danger of spring frost has reliably passed.

Definitely yes! Pinching is very beneficial for this annual. By pinching the plant in the early stages of growth (removing the growing tip), you encourage the formation of side shoots. The plant will become beautifully bushy, gain a sturdier structure, and, most importantly, produce many more stems and gorgeous flowers suitable for cutting.

Unfortunately, it will not. In our climate, the strawflower is grown exclusively as an annual; its frost resistance ends at 0 degrees Celsius, so it will not survive the winter in an outdoor flowerbed. Furthermore, this specific species does not naturally self-seed in our region, so you will need to sow new seeds from a new packet for the next season.

You can look forward to a flood of beautiful pink flowers from June through September. Strawflowers are an absolutely excellent choice for cutting for fresh summer bouquets and are among the best flowers for drying. Once dried, the flowers do not lose their shape or vibrant color. Although the plant is not aromatic and does not have a scent, it is still guaranteed to attract beneficial pollinators to your garden, such as bees and butterflies.

You don't need to worry at all. Strawflower (Helichrysum bracteatum) is neither poisonous nor toxic to humans or pets. While they are not intended for consumption (the plant is not edible) and are definitely not suitable for the kitchen, if a dog, cat, or small child were to accidentally nibble on them, there is absolutely no health risk.

Among pests, strawflowers in the garden are most often troubled by aphids, which suck the sweet sap from young shoots and buds. As for diseases, this plant is relatively susceptible to fungal infections, specifically gray mold (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew. These problems thrive most in humid, enclosed environments without sufficient fresh air circulation.

For successful drying, the most important thing is to harvest the flowers on time—that is, at the stage where they are just beginning to open and are not yet showing their center. Strawflowers continue to bloom and open slightly after being cut and during the drying process. If you were to cut them fully open, they would fade during drying, the center would turn an unattractive brown, and the petals might begin to drop. Strip the leaves from the stem, tie them into small bundles, and hang them head-down in a dark, dry, and well-ventilated place.

A white powdery coating on the leaves clearly indicates a powdery mildew infection, while browning and rotting of plant parts points to grey mold. As a first step, immediately trim and dispose of all affected plant parts (throw them away; do not put them in a regular compost bin). For prevention, ensure good air circulation around the plants (maintain proper planting spacing) and always water carefully directly at the roots to avoid unnecessarily wetting the leaves.

Strawflowers absolutely love full sun locations. As for the soil, they perform best in well-drained, humus-rich soil. They are not overly demanding regarding watering, and once their root system is well-established, they can reliably tolerate periods of summer drought. The recommended planting spacing is 15 to 30 cm.