How To Grow And Nurture Cineraria From Seed
When growing Cineraria know botanically as Senecio cruentus from seed – by the way they can be a challenge – the seedlings can be transplanted into flats or trays, or directly into pots. The soil mixture is the same – sandy, for good drainage, with some humus. Usually I put broken pieces of barbecue charcoal in the bottom of the pots to keep the moist soil “sweet.”
The seedlings now move into their cool, semi-sunny growing quarters where they remain until flower buds begin to open. As the plants grow, they’re moved into successively larger pots, ending usually with the four-orfive-inch size. Fertilizer is fed infrequently, in weak solution, until buds are formed. Then liquid manure or a soluble balanced fertilizer in strength recommended on the package is used at weekly or even semi-weekly intervals.
Cinerarias are remarkably easy to grow, and to grow well. Only once have they disappointed me. Carelessly, I allowed the soil to dry out for some hours. The larger leaves wilted fast and were lost. And the top growth then protruded on a scraggly stem without the luscious rosette of green leaves below to tic it down into the pot. That once was enough. I now water regularly, and spray the leaves in the morning as often as possible.
This summer, I hope to have cinerarias to use for accent in my annual flower beds. Their large, velvety green leaves and mounds of dark-eyed daisy-like flowers in striking purples, pinks, lavenders, whites and combinations thereof should be effective.
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