Plant Profile

Botanical Name: galpinii (gal-PIN-ee-eye)

Common Name: Baubles, Berzelia

FAMILY NAME:

Species and cultivars of special interest:

Berzelia abrotanoides

Berzelia lanuginosa Origin: Southern Africa

Availability: From June to November.

Foliage Characteristics: Stem is rigid and strong enough to support blooms. Upright,wiry stemmed with a covering of small,fine,needle-like leaves.

Floral Characteristics: Masses of deep-green, pea-like flower heads at stem tips or along upper sections of stems. Multi-headed stems may reach a head diameter of 7–8 cm. Whiteish/Cream/Very Pale Tones, Flowers Particularly Attractive, Flowers-Good cut flower.

Special features and characteristics of special interest: Berzelia can grow to more than 4 feet tall. Its branches are long, slender and straight. Berzelia has wonderful soft, fern-like foliage that surrounds the entire stem from top to bottom in a spiral-like design. Its flowers are often massed in spherical heads and range in colors from creamy white to several shades of green, yellow and some varieties are even two-toned. Berzelia flowers from winter through spring. Then after flowering, it develops attractive, creamy white seeds that can remain on the for at least one to two years

Maintenance, Cultural requirements and Post Harvest Treatments: Berzelia galpinii has a comparatively long vase life at the green stage. Hold stems in deep water or postharvest solution to avoid drying out. When the top of each ‘pea’ is brown, the product is old and should not be marketed.

Pest and Diseases: Insects (especially scale insects and aphids). Sooty mould (caused by fungus growing on the honeydew excreted by scale insects or aphids). Discard any affected product.

Use In Floristry: Berzelia galpinii used to create the ultimate rustic and romantic bouquet. And they can easily be used in foliage to fill an empty space in most of arrangements.

Customer advice: 1. Keep vase filled with fresh clean water. Check daily, as flowers can use a lot of water. Change the water at least every second day. Always use clean vases and clean water. 2. Do not display in areas that are exposed to full sun, draughts or high temperatures. Keep as cool as possible without freezing