| Storage Temperature: 36 - 38 F |
| Ethylene Sensitive: Yes, very sensitive |
| Description: Bunches of complex branches filled
with dozens of tiny florets. |
| Colors: White. Pink is available, but
uncommon |
| Botanical Facts: Gypsophila comes from the Greek
for "gypsum-loving" in reference to the plants favoring of high calcium soils. |
| Design Notes: Baby's Breath is a very popular (and
sometimes overused) filler flower. Small clusters of blossoms also work well in
wedding and corsage design. |
| Purchasing Hints: Purchase bunches that are
filled with open florets and closed buds. One half of the florets should be open.
Avoid bunches with blossoms that are showing any signs of browning. There is
a wonderful new species of Baby's Breath on the market called "Million Stars" (elagans
paniculata) which is leading a renewed popularity of Baby's Breath. |
| Conditioning: Remove all foliage that will be
below the water line. Cut under water with a sharp knife. Hydrate in a solution of
warm water and commercial floral preservative / floral food for two hours before storage
or usage. To speed the opening of blossoms. Pour one gallon of boiling water
into a one gallon storage bucket. To this add two tablespoons of bleach. Then
place the stem ends of the Baby's Breath into the hot bleach-water solution. you
will be able to actually watch (and hear) the florets pop open like miniature popcorn. |
| Additional Notes: Baby's Breath can be a very
hardy, long lasting filler flower. However, it is very sensitive to ethylene, water
stress and botrytis. Make sure that storage buckets are clean and always use a
commercial floral preservative / floral food containing a fungicide. Baby's Breath
needs to be stored in high relative humidity to avoid stem desiccation. Do not
"mist" Baby's Breath as this may cause blossom browning. Baby's Breath
does dry easily and well. However, drying Baby's Breath generates very high levels
of ethylene gas. Dry Baby's Breath in a well venelated area, away from other
flowers. |
