Ptilotus is mainly known as a garden plant, but it is also a fantastic flower to work with as a cut flower. She is dainty, has a beautiful pink color with a silvery glow and also keeps well. We visited grower Steef Meewisse, who told us all about this lovely little flower.

Steef Meewisse

Steef is a true seasonal grower. Year-round he grows different types of flowers that fit the season. During our tour we saw the most beautiful varieties of Delphinium, very special Asclepia species and many more summer flowers. The first Brassicas were already sown, expected in January. Every season has beautiful products and by creating a very diverse, year-round growing plan, Steef can offer florists a beautiful product in every season.

Ptilotus

Ptilotus exaltatus 'Matilda', also called ornamental foxtail in the Netherlands, is native to Australia. Steef is always looking for fun, unusual products. Preferably something someone else doesn't have. Every year he has flower trials with as many as forty to fifty different types of flowers. He asks for different opinions from the trade and listens to the customers' opinions. This way, the Ptilotus was added to Steef's cultivation schedule. He is the only grower in the Netherlands growing the Ptilotus as a cut flower.

For the florist, Ptilotus is an incredibly beautiful addition to the assortment. Her playful plume is very nice to use in bouquets and arrangements and the soft pink, lovely color is also very suitable for bridal arrangements. But even as a mono bunch in a vase it is an incredibly rewarding flower.

Care

Ptilotus is not very demanding in terms of care. Like all flowers, she likes a clean vase. Cut a small part of the stem diagonally, then put it in clean water with cut flower food. That way she has a vase life of 10 to 14 days.
If you want to use her on oasis, Steef advises to take off all the leaves, then the absorbed water is not evaporated through the leaves.

Ptilotus grows from seed and is an annual plant. In January the first seeds are planted, then in June the first flowers can be cut. First the main branch, then the side branches are pruned. When the crop is empty, the plants are uprooted and the soil is prepared for the next crop.
Ptilotus is available from June to September, depending on the weather.

Sustainable

Steef strives to grow as naturally as possible. He puts a lot of time and energy into making his crops resilient. "Nature-inclusive," Steef tells us. "We add natural plant juices from other trees to the water, we work with seaweed and algae to increase the resistance of the crop. Growing multiple crop species also works to increase the resilience of the plant." A strong crop is much less affected by diseases and pests, which almost eliminates the need for crop protection.
"I think it is important to produce a sustainable, responsible and honest product, of such quality that the final customer not only gets beautiful flowers, but also a good feeling in their home."

FloraPodium, 27 July 2023