Billy Buttons Flower Seeds Packet

Indoor Seed Starting (Recommended): Start your seeds indoors approximately four to six weeks before the expected last frost

Materials Needed:

• High-quality seed starting mix
• Shallow seed trays or small pots with drainage
• Clear plastic domes or plastic wrap
• Grow lights or bright windowsill
• Heat mat (optional but beneficial)
  

Sowing Process:
1. Container Preparation: Fill containers with moistened seed starting mix
2. Seed Placement: Sow indoors in pots 6-8 weeks before planting out into warm soil
Surface sow seeds (do not cover as they need light to germinate)
Gently press seeds into soil surface
3. Environmental Control: Keep at 70-75°F
4. Germination Timeline: Typically, germination takes around 14 to 21 days (some sources indicate
germination time of just 7-10 days)
5. Moisture Management: Keep the planting medium moist during this period

DirectSowing Alternative
Timing: Craspedia seeds can be sown directly outdoors after all danger of frost has passed

Best Practices:

• Direct sow 2 weeks after last frost into warm soil in longer season areas
• Ensure soil temperature reaches 65-70°F consistently
• Choose well-draining location with full sun exposure
• Seedling Care and Development

Light Requirements:

• Provide 14-16 hours of bright light daily for indoor seedlings
• Use grow lights positioned 4-6 inches above plants
• Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions before transplanting
• Watering and Fertilizing:
• The key factors for successful germination include adequate sunlight, consistent moisture levels and a well-draining soil
• Begin with water only - avoid fertilizing until true leaves develop
• Use diluted liquid fertilizer sparingly once established
  

Transplanting:

• Transplant when seedlings have 3-4 true leaves
• Handle carefully as young plants can be fragile
• Choose location with excellent drainage
  
  Outdoor GrowingandSitePreparation
  Site Selection:
• Choose the sunniest location available
• Ensure excellent drainage - raised beds ideal for heavy soils
• Billy Buttons is easy to grow from cutting gardens, and borders
• Avoid low-lying areas where water collects

Soil Preparation:
1. Test and amend soil pH to 6.0-7.5 range if necessary
2. Improve drainage with coarse sand or gravel if needed
3. Add an inch of compost prior to planting
4. Avoid heavy fertilization which reduces flower quality

Planting Process:

• Plant at same depth as in containers
• Space seedlings 8-12 inches apart
• Water gently after planting
• Apply light mulch keeping away from plant stems

Container Growing
Container Selection:

• Use pots at least 8-10 inches wide and deep
• Ensure multiple drainage holes
• Terra cotta or ceramic pots ideal for drainage
  

Potting Mix:

• Well-draining cactus/succulent mix works well
• Or create mix: 40% potting soil, 30% coarse sand, 30% perlite
• Avoid rich, moisture-retentive mixes
  

Container Care:

• You can also plant it in pots
• Monitor drainage carefully - containers must never stay waterlogged
• Place in full sun location
• Reduce watering frequency in winter

Ongoing Care and Management
Watering Practices:

• When it comes to watering, less is more
• Deep, infrequent watering preferred over frequent shallow watering
• Allow soil to dry between waterings
• Reduce watering significantly in fall and winter
  

Mulching:

• As Craspedia prefers cool roots, it is better to cover it with a mulch of straws or use gravel
• Use coarse mulch that allows air circulation
• Keep mulch away from plant stems to prevent rot

Support and Staking:

• Generally not required due to sturdy stems
• May need support in very windy locations
• Use bamboo stakes and soft ties if needed
• HarvestingandPost-Harvest Care

Harvest Timing:

• Harvest when brightly colored
• Cut stems when flower heads are fully developed but before any browning
• Best harvested in early morning when stems are fully hydrated
• Harvesting Technique:
• Use sharp, clean garden shears
• Cut stems as long as possible for arrangements
• Place immediately in cool water

Fresh Flower Care:

• Remove lower leaves before placing in vase
• Use floral preservative to extend vase life
• Change water every 2-3 days
• Re-cut stems under running water

Drying Process:

• Dry the stems upside down (to keep the stems straight)
• Hang in dark, well-ventilated area
• Drying takes 2-3 weeks depending on humidity
• Store dried flowers in low humidity environment

Season Extension and Productivity
Extending Bloom Period:

• Make successive sowings every 3-4 weeks
• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flower production
• Plant different varieties with varying bloom times
  

Seed Collection:

• Allow some flowers to mature fully on plant
• Collect seeds when flower heads turn brown
• Store seeds in cool, dry place for next season

Poor Germination:

• Causes: Old seeds, buried too deep, incorrect temperature, overwatering
• Solutions: Use fresh seeds, surface sow, maintain proper temperature, reduce moisture
  

Leggy Growth:

• Causes: Insufficient light, too much fertilizer, overcrowding
• Solutions: Increase light exposure, reduce feeding, thin overcrowded plantings

Yellowing Leaves:

• Causes: Overwatering, poor drainage, natural aging
• Solutions: Improve drainage, reduce watering frequency, remove affected leaves

Poor Flower Production:

• Causes: Insufficient sun, over-fertilizing, water stress
• Solutions: Ensure full sun exposure, reduce nitrogen, maintain consistent moisture during
  establishment

Floral and Craft Applications:

• Fresh cut flower arrangements and bouquets
• Dried flower crafts and decorations
• A fun craft to do with craspedia is to dry the stems upside down (to keep the stems straight). Once dried, blooms can be spray-painted different colors
• Wedding decorations and event styling
• Millinery and fashion accessories
• Botanical art and photography

Garden and Landscape Uses:

• Border plantings and cottage gardens
• Cut flower gardens and cutting beds
• Wildflower meadows and naturalized areas
• Container gardening and patio displays
• Deer deterrent plantings
• Pollinator gardens (attracts beneficial insects)

Commercial Applications:

• Commercial cut flower production
• Farmers market and florist sales
• Agritourism and pick-your-own operations
• Educational gardens and botanical displays
  

Special Benefits:

• Long-lasting fresh cut flowers (7-10 days vase life)
• Excellent dried flowers with color retention
• Low maintenance once established
• Drought tolerant and water-wise gardening

Temperature:

• Germination: Keep at 70-75°F for optimal results
• Growing season: 60-80°F (15-27°C) for best performance
• In the UK, they are grown as annual ornamentals, because most are not hardy at temperatures below freezing
• Heat tolerance: Excellent in hot, dry conditions
• Cold tolerance: Varies by climate zone
  

Light:

• Craspedia Globosa grows best in full sun
• Minimum 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Billy buttons prefer a warm and sunny to semi-shady location
• Morning sun particularly important for flower development
• Some afternoon shade tolerated in very hot climates

Soil:

• Well-drained garden soil tolerating a wide range of soil types, including sands, gravels, clays, and loams
• Slightly acidic to neutral pH
• The soil should be well-drained, as billy buttons do not tolerate waterlogging
• Poor to moderately fertile soils preferred
• Excellent drainage absolutely essential
  

Water:

• Provide about an inch of water a week during establishment
• Billy Balls tolerate drought exceptionally well
• Watering is only necessary during periods of severe drought
• Avoid overwatering which leads to root rot
  

Space:

• Final Spacing: 1' between plants
• Space seedlings 8-12 inches apart for optimal growth
• Reach up to 24 inches tall at maturity
• Allow adequate air circulation between plants

Seasonal Tasks:

• Spring: Sow seeds, prepare beds, apply compost
• Summer: Monitor watering, deadhead spent blooms, harvest flowers
• Fall: Collect seeds, cut plants back, prepare for winter
• Winter: Protect tender plants in cold climates
  

Weekly Tasks (During Growing Season):

• Monitor soil moisture during establishment period
• Harvest when brightly colored
• Check for pest activity
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
  

Monthly Tasks:

• Add an inch of compost prior to planting
• Diluted liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks to encourage growth
• Weed control around plants
• Assess overall plant health
  

Long-term Care:

• Pruning is never necessary
• You only need to fertilise your Craspedia once at planting
• Minimal intervention required once established
• As Craspedia prefers cool roots, it is better to cover it with a mulch of straws or use gravel
  

Fertilizing:

• Light feeding only - too much fertility reduces flower quality
• Organic compost application at planting sufficient
• Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers
• Bone meal or low-nitrogen fertilizer if needed

Common Pests:
Spider Mites

• Identification: Craspedia is a tough plant that resists most pests and diseases, but watch out for spider mites
• Damage: Spider mites tend to hide under leaves and other places where sprays cannot reach them
• Treatment: Increase humidity, predatory mites, insecticidal soap
• Prevention: Maintain good air circulation, avoid drought stress
• Slugs and Snails
• Identification: Watch out for snails, and slugs
• Damage: Holes in leaves and flowers, particularly during wet weather
• Treatment: Beer traps, copper barriers, hand-picking, iron phosphate baits
• Prevention: Improve drainage, reduce moisture around plants

Aphids

• Identification: They did get aphids at some point over the winter
• Damage: Stunted growth, honeydew secretion, distorted foliage
• Treatment: Insecticidal soap, beneficial insects, strong water spray
• Prevention: Avoid over-fertilizing, encourage natural predators
  

Thrips

• Identification: Have also been surprisingly resistant to thrips
• Damage: Silvery streaks on leaves, black specks
• Treatment: Blue sticky traps, beneficial insects, systemic insecticides
• Prevention: Maintain plant health, good sanitation practices
  

Common Diseases:
Powdery Mildew

• Symptoms: Powdery mildew is a common disease of the billy button plant. It's caused by a fungus that attacks the leaves
• Treatment: We were mostly able to get rid of both using
• Zerotol and BotryStop
• Prevention: Good air circulation, avoid overhead watering, proper spacing
  

Botrytis (Gray Mold)

• Symptoms: Botrytis also have appeared
• Treatment: Remove affected plant material, improve air circulation, fungicidal sprays
• Prevention: Avoid overwatering, ensure good drainage, proper plant spacing

Root Rot

• Symptoms: Waterlogging quickly leads to root rot and can be fatal for Craspedia
• Treatment: Improve drainage, reduce watering, remove affected plants
• Prevention: Well-draining soil, avoid overwatering, proper site selection
• Disease Resistance:
• No major problems
• Billy Balls show a high resistance to diseases, making them easy to grow and less demanding in terms of chemical protection
• It is resistant to diseases and rarely attacked by a few common pests