Gypsophila
Gypsophila is more commonly known as baby’s breath. Used in fresh and dried flower arrangments, it makes a good back drop in gardens!
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N/A |
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Gypsophila paniculata |
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Intermediate |
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Intermediate |
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2-4 years if properly stored |
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Perennial |
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7-14 days |
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24-35” |
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Full sun but tolerates partial shade |
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60-90 days |
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March and April |
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No. |
Growing Tips
When to Start
Start indoors: 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. (March for GA.)
Transplant: After hardening off and the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
Direct Sow: After the danger of frost has passed. (May 1 for Jefferson, GA)
How to Start
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. Sow into seed cells and place them under grow lights. Transplant after hardening off and all danger of frost has passed. Or direct sow after the danger of frost has passed. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Care
Baby’s breath is intermediate for GA due to high humidity. However, it is easy to grow in other parts of the country. Plant in full sun and in well-draining soil. Baby’s breath also prefers alkaline soil but doesn’t like wet feet. Grow it in a location that gets adequate drainage. Thin or space to 10 inches. Once established, baby’s breath doesn’t require a lot of care as long as the soil is well-draining and alkaline. Taller plants may need staking.
Cut back after flowers are spent to encourage new growth and new blooms. Avoid disturbing the plants once they are established. They make good cut flowers and are great for arrangements. They are also easily dried to make dried flower arrangements.
Seed Saving
Isolation Distance
Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate 1/4 mile to prevent cross-pollination.
Instructions
Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.
Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as the flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest. Clip the flower head from the main stem once the seeds are dry and dark. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.
Features
- Good cut flowers
- Good dried flowers
- Deer resistant
- Poor soil tolerant
- Fast growing
- Attracts pollinators
Gypsophila prefers more alkaline soils. Add lime to help keep soil in a 7.0 – 7.4 range.
Things to watch out for: Aster leafhoppers are tiny green insects that spread aster yellows disease. Using floating row covers in early spring keeps leafhoppers off the plants. Blotched or discolored leaves can also indicate a fungus causing botrytis gray mold. Control this by improving the air circulation between plants by thinning them out and/or transplanting them to a sunnier location.
Crown and root rots can be the end of your Gypsophila. These rots are caused by bacteria and fungi that live in the soil. If you don’t see new
shoots in spring, this is likely the problem. You’ll first see the damage on the crown, the thick area where the root system meets the base of the plant at the soil level. As the rot spreads, the crown turns mushy and bad-smelling. Fungi attack next and the roots can become rotten and blackened. The plant dies in a few days. Replace the soil to remove the fungi.
Sources:
Edenbrothers.com
Gardenguides.com
Starting and Saving Seeds By Julie Thompson-Adolf