Cineraria Flower Seeds 3g

Florist's cineraria (Pericallis × hybrida) is one of the most colourful members of the daisy family, prized for tidy mounds smothered in clusters of flat, daisy-like blooms. The petals come in brilliant red, pink, purple, blue and white, and many carry a contrasting central eye that makes each flower head pop. As a cool-loving ornamental it shines in winter pots, borders and shaded courtyards, bringing rich colour exactly when most other flowers have faded.

Planting

In Egypt treat cineraria as a winter flower. Sow from late summer into early autumn, scattering seed shallowly at about 0.3 cm in a sterile starting mix and barely covering it, since the seed needs light to sprout. Germinate at roughly 15.6-18°C, with 21-24°C giving quicker results; expect seedlings in about 10-14 days. Keep trays in a bright, ventilated, lightly shaded spot, then transplant 30-45 cm apart into fertile, moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Fertilizing

Enrich the soil with organic matter or a balanced NPK feed before planting. Through active growth, apply a balanced liquid fertiliser about every two weeks; a useful habit is to keep feeding until flower buds appear, then stop.

Care

Grow in partial shade with only part-day sun, or full sun softened by midday shade. Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged, which causes rot. Deadhead spent blooms to extend flowering through the cool Dec-Mar window. Watch for aphids, thrips, whitefly, leaf-miners and spider mites, and prevent grey mould (botrytis) with good airflow.