Plant Profile

Botanical Name: Gypsophila elegans

Common Name: Annual Baby's-breath, Showy Baby's-breath

FAMILY NAME: Caryophyllaceae

Species and cultivars of special interest:

elegans – Million Stars,‘Covent Garden’ and ‘Early snowball’

Origin: Eastern Europe, Asia and North Africa

Availability: All Year

Foliage Characteristics: Opposite, stalkless. Blade lanceolate–almost linear, with entire margins.

Floral Characteristics: Gypsophila is made up of many slender branching stems, each bearing many tiny button-shaped flowers at the ends. Flowers can be as a single or double bloom.

Special features and characteristics of special interest: A member of the Caryophyllaceae family, It is related to the carnation, which is not obvious from the flowers, but the relationship is evident when you look at the leaves, which are smaller versions of carnation leaves

Maintenance, Cultural requirements and Post Harvest Treatments: A high level of humidity will promote flower opening. Stems are very sensitive to water stress, so keep them hydrated at all times. Add flower food and anti-ethylene agent to the water. Very sensitive to intense sunlight—flowers will brown and shrivel easily if exposed to heat and direct sun. Separate bunches carefully to prevent damaging the delicate flowers. Pinch off dead blooms as they produce ethylene gas, which will damage the rest of the flowers.

Pest and Diseases: Can be prone to bacterial and fungal diseases: Rhizactonia Root and Stem Rot. Rhizoctonia is a fungus that is found in most soils and enters the plant through the roots or the stem at soil level.

Use In Floristry: Can be used as transitional flower. Wonderful when used on its own en masse in vases and bouquets. A valuable addition to rose bunches and any floral design where a delicate, feminine look is desired.

Customer advice: Recut stems and use a floral preservative. Change water regularly and keep them hydrated at all times

Reference: 1. http://www.luontoportti.com/suomi/en/kukkakasvit/annual-babys-breath 2. http://www.seedaholic.com/gypsophila-elegans-covent-garden-1.html 3. http://myfolia.com/plants/1432-babys-breath-gypsophila-elegans/varieties/3099- covent-garden 4. http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_d606.html 5. http://www.floristsreview.com/main/january2011/freshflower0111.html