The Essential Guide To The Gypsophila
Botanical Name: Gypsophila spp.
Common Name: Gypsophila, Baby's Breath
General Knowledge: Gypsophila, commonly known as Baby's Breath, originally hails from Eastern Europe and Asia, covering a vast expanse of regions. In floral arrangements, it is prevalently used as a filler, adding a delicate and airy touch to bouquets and centrepieces, and it has also become a popular choice in dried flower arrangements due to its lasting beauty. A fun fact about Gypsophila is that despite its fragile appearance, it belongs to the carnation family, which is known for its hardiness and resilience.
Colour Range: Predominantly cream and white, with occasional palest blush pink varieties.
Australian Seasonal Availability: Available year-round, with peak production during the summer months.
Australian Wedding and Event Season Availability: Gypsophila is a popular choice for weddings and events throughout the year due to its year-round availability and delicate appearance.
Commercially Grown in Australia: Yes, it is commonly grown across the country.
Imported into Australia: While it is widely grown in Australia, it may also be imported to meet demand.
Buying Tips: Select bunches where two-thirds of the florets are fully open. Avoid any stems with brown florets, as this indicates age. Bunches with a high percentage of immature blooms may not open fully. Ensure the stems have been treated with an anti-ethylene solution and a sugar and biocide pulse to prevent Botrytis, a serious fungal disease.
Design Tips and Advice: Gypsophila serves as a wonderful transitional flower. It creates a delicate and feminine look, making it a valuable addition to rose bunches and various floral designs. It can also stand alone, creating a stunning effect when used in vases and bouquets.
Flower Maturity: Best purchased when two-thirds of the florets are open.
Expected Vase Life: The flowers take around 2 days to open fully; once open, they can last between 7-10 days.
Typical Stem Length: Ranges from 50-70 cm.
Typical Bunch Size: The number of stems per bunch can vary.
Floral Preservatives: Use floral preservatives to prolong vase life.
Ethylene Sensitivity: Highly sensitive. Exposure causes wilting of open flowers and inhibits the opening of buds.
Temperature Requirements: Store between 2-4 °C.
Avoiding Potential Problems: Avoid tight packing of stems and bunches and ensure good air circulation by removing the protective plastic sleeve. Maintain a high humidity level to promote flower opening. Stems are prone to bacterial and fungal diseases, so ensure cleanliness in handling and storage.
Cooling and Cool Rooms: Store between 2-4 °C but minimise time in cool storage to preserve vase life.
Hydration and Vase Solutions: Maintain continuous hydration, use flower food in water, and recut stems regularly.
Care of Ethylene Sensitive Products: Treat with anti-ethylene agents to prevent wilting and promote bud opening.