{"product_id":"helichrysum-strawflower-seeds","title":"Helichrysum Seeds — Strawflower (Mixed Colours)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe everlasting flower.\u003c\/strong\u003e Helichrysum, known as Strawflower, opens papery petals in red, pink, orange, yellow and white that feel dry to the touch even on a living plant — and keep their colour for years once cut and hung to dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eXerochrysum bracteatum\u003c\/em\u003e. A winter annual for Pakistani gardens, grown for beds, borders, large pots and above all for cutting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to sow — the one rule that matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo not cover the seed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Helichrysum needs light falling on it to germinate. Press it gently onto the surface of damp soil and leave it completely bare. Buried under even a few millimetres of soil or cocopeat, it will not come up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater the pot \u003cstrong\u003ebefore\u003c\/strong\u003e sowing, not after — stand it in a tray until the surface darkens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSow onto that damp surface, press down lightly, leave uncovered.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAfterwards mist or water from below so the fine seed is not washed away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermination in \u003cstrong\u003e7 to 14 days at 20 to 24°C\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMove seedlings on at the first pair of true leaves, spacing them 25 to 30 cm apart.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen to sow in Pakistan\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Sialkot:\u003c\/strong\u003e mid-September to end October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIslamabad, Rawalpindi, Peshawar:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to mid-October\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKarachi and coastal Sindh:\u003c\/strong\u003e October to November\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMurree, Swat, Quetta and northern valleys:\u003c\/strong\u003e February to March\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGrowing on\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFull sun and free-draining soil. Helichrysum dislikes wet feet — let the surface dry between waterings and it will reward you. Plants reach 60 to 90 cm and may need a short stake in an exposed spot. Flowers from February through May.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDrying for everlasting arrangements\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is what the plant is really for. \u003cstrong\u003eCut the stems when the outer petals have just opened and the centre is still tight\u003c\/strong\u003e — a fully open flower keeps opening as it dries and loses its shape. Strip the lower leaves, tie the stems in small bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, airy room for two to three weeks. Dried this way they hold their colour for several years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDelivery\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlat Rs 250 anywhere in Pakistan, free on orders over Rs 3,500, and free delivery inside Lahore.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Garden by Chanan Din — seed merchants in Lahore since 1932.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Garden by Chanan Din","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67674771325292,"sku":null,"price":250.0,"currency_code":"PKR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0941\/9053\/5020\/files\/GoldenandWhiteStrawflowerBouquet.png?v=1791823898","url":"https:\/\/thegardenpk.com\/products\/helichrysum-strawflower-seeds","provider":"The Garden by Chanan Din","version":"1.0","type":"link"}