PTILOTUS EXALTATUS MATILDA

Waltzing her way into our hearts is Ptilotus Matilda, a unique new cut flower. With 3-4" rosy-lilac feathery blooms on long sturdy stems, the flowers have a long vase life lasting for over two weeks and look stunning in bouquets or mixed with other flowers.   Ptilotus can also be dried and are perfect in dried flower arrangements or wreaths.

(To dry Ptilotus, cut whilst fresh and hang upside down in a dry place for two weeks).

As an Australian native, this sun loving beauty will enjoy a dry, well drained position and is perfect for both borders and bouquets.

Sow indoors about two months before the last frost has passed placing one seed in a pot in well drained potting compost and lightly cover with a sprinkling of soil as they will need light to germinate. Mist them lightly and keep in a warm position at a temperature of 75-80F with bright indirect sunlight. Keep overnight temperature no lower than 65F. Keep the soil moderately moist whilst germination occurs – this can take about two weeks.

Once the seedlings begin to emerge, move them to a warm sunny position to continue growing. Seedlings can be transplanted outdoors once the soil temperature is above 65F although the young seedlings would benefit from hardening off for a week before planting. Do this by leaving outdoors for a few hours each day.