New! Unique, long-lasting textural accent.
1" globes on long, stiff stems are easy to harvest and use as cut flowers. Grass-like, silvery green foliage. Long vase life as a cut, and retains color as a dried flower. Tolerates heat. Craspedia is also known as drumsticks.
Excellent Cut flower
Craspedia Sun Ball
Life Cycle: Tender Perennial in Zones 8-11
Site : Full Sun
Days to Germinate : 14-18 days
Height : 36-48 "
Seed Depth : Surface, slightly press into the soil
Plant Spaing : 10-12"
Approx Seed per packet : 50
Transplant (recommended): Sow 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Cover seeds lightly with vermiculite. Transplant into cell packs or larger containers when seedlings have their second set of true leaves. Harden off and transplant outside after last frost. Support may be needed to ensure straight stems.
Location
The planting site for your Craspedia should be sunny, warm and exposed to sunlight. Craspedia need access to direct sunlight to grow. If you are growing them indoors, make sure you place them in the sunniest spot
The location for growing is extremely important because it determines whether your plants will bloom or not. In order to bloom, Craspedia requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure.
Soil requirements
Craspedia is a low maintenance sturdy plant that can grow in any soil as long as it is not acidic. It does not like acidity but it can tolerate any soil quality no matter how bad it is. However, for optimum growth, a well-drained soil will deliver the best results.
Watering
In order to learn how to grow Craspedia, you should learn the growth requirements of this plant. Craspedia is a tropical plant thus it is a drought tolerant plant that does not require a plenty of water. You should water it only when the top layer of soil is dry.
Location
The planting site for your Craspedia should be sunny, warm and exposed to sunlight. Billy buttons need access to direct sunlight to grow. If you are growing them indoors, make sure you place them in the sunniest spot in your house. Ideally, choose a sunny window.
The location for growing Billy Buttons is extremely important because it determines whether your plants will bloom or not. In order to bloom, Craspedia requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight exposure.
3. Soil requirements
Craspedia is a low maintenance sturdy plant that can grow in any soil as long as it is not acidic. It does not like acidity but it can tolerate any soil quality no matter how bad it is. However, for optimum growth, a well-drained soil will deliver the best results.
Watering
In order to learn how to grow Craspedia, you should learn the growth requirements of this plant. Craspedia is a tropical plant thus it is a drought tolerant plant that does not require a plenty of water. You should water it only when the top layer of soil is dry.
Best if harvested when most of the flowers are mature. Harvesting early requires that they bepulsed in high (~20%) sugar solutions for 24-48 hours in order to have immature flowers open.
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Correct harvesting of drumstick blooms involves both timing and method. Harvesting time comes once the balls turn completely yellow and their minute florets open fully. It's always best to cut the flowers in the early morning hours to ensure that the stems retain the most moisture. The best cutting method entails snipping the flower stems one-quarter-inch above their bases with a sharp, clean pair of pruning shears or flower snips. Immediately after cutting the stem, insert the cut end into a container full of water that is 100 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Conditioning
In order to lengthen the drumstick flower's vase life and ensure its best appearance it must undergo a period of conditioning. This process involves re-cutting the flower under running water to remove the bottom 1 inch of stem and then placing it into a floral preservative solution consisting of 5 ounces floral preservative for every 1 pint of water. The re-cut flowers then require 2 to 12 hours in a refrigerator or cooler with a constant temperature of 36 to 40 F. Keep fruit and vegetables out of the cooler with the flowers to prevent damage from ethylene.
Vase Life
In general, cut flowers remain fresh for five to seven days after harvest. However, it is possible to extend the vase life of drumstick blooms. Clean water will keep the stems hydrated and the inside tissue clear of clogs.
A good rule of thumb is to change the water every three to four days. Re-cutting the stem underwater before placing it in the new water will also increase the stem's life. Display the vase of flowers out of direct sunlight, away from heating and cooling vents and in a room with a constant temperature of 60 to 70 F.