Seeds - 4 g

Annual Baby's Breath (Gypsophila elegans) is the classic airy filler flower, prized for its clouds of tiny five-petalled blooms in white and soft pink. A member of the carnation family (Caryophyllaceae), it forms loose, branching sprays on slender stems that lighten any bouquet. It is a florist's favourite for both fresh and dried arrangements, weaving softness and volume around bolder cut flowers.

Planting

Sow seeds directly where they are to flower, as this annual resents transplanting. Barely cover them at about 3 mm deep, since some light aids germination. Keep the soil evenly moist; seedlings emerge in roughly 7 to 14 days at an ideal temperature of 21 to 22 C. Thin plants to about 15 to 20 cm apart in full sun and light, well-drained, neutral-to-alkaline soil. In Egypt, sow through the cool months from autumn into early winter for a winter-to-spring bloom that finishes before the summer heat.

Fertilizing

This is a lean-soil plant that performs best in relatively poor ground. Rich soil and high-nitrogen feeds produce soft, floppy growth easily flattened by rain. Heavy feeding is usually unnecessary; if needed, apply a light, low-nitrogen feed in spring during active growth.

Care

Water regularly while establishing to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged; once settled, plants are fairly drought-tolerant. Good drainage and adequate spacing prevent stem rot. Harvest sprays when 70 to 90% of the flowers are open, and cut back after flowering to encourage a second flush. For continuous cut flowers, sow successionally every 2 to 4 weeks.