Sowing & Growing
So, you've bought seeds from The Wildstyler - now what?! Firstly, thank you for supporting a small NZ business. We couldn't do this without all you flower lovers.
Below are some tips to give your green babies the best start at life, and the links to all seeds we currently offer. New varieties are always being added. Everything is grown organically in Levin. Click on your seed packet below, for info on how to sow & grow.
Happy gardening, flower junkies!
Getting Started
Storing your seed
Seeds are best started within 12 months of purchase date. Please store your seeds in a cool, dark, dry location until you are ready to sow them.
Sowing seed
Most seeds are best started indoors until they are ready to transplant out. Have a look at the seed variety section below, for seasons to sow, and methods of planting different varieties.
*Always ensure you use a good quality seed raising mix.
*Use clean, sterile equipment and seed trays.
*Label seed variety and date sown.
*Maintain even temp & moisture throughout germination.
METHOD
Fill seed tray with mix and sow a thin layer of seed on top. Cover with a fine dusting of seed mix. Never sow seeds too deeply and check germination light requirements of your chosen variety. Fine seeds ,and those that require light to germinate, should be barely covered. Use a misting bottle to lightly dampen the soil surface. Do not overwater. Cover seed tray with plastic, glass, plastic bag, etc,. to help retain moisture. Check seeds and lightly mist daily. Once seeds have germinated, remove cover but keep indoors until the threat of frost has passed.
PROBLEMS
*Seeds are dying - Check your moisture levels. Overwatering can cause 'damping off', a condition where the seedling stems rot and die.
*Seeds aren't germinating - Check your seeds requirements. Some seeds require light to germinate, consistent warm temps, some require cold and some need seed stratification.
Transplanting seedlings
Once your seedlings are big enough and have a good root stock (usually an inch in height) and the threat of frost has passed, you seeds will need to be hardened off before planting out. This is a process of getting them adjusted to outside conditions. Pop seedlings in an outdoor position, sheltered from extreme weather for a few days. After this, choose a spot in the garden and plant away!
Seed Varieties
Scabiosa Starball
Scabiosa stellata
Approx. 25 seeds per packet
Scabiosa Starball make a wonderful cut flowers with their strong stems and beautiful pale lilac colour. The bronze and lime green seed pods are particularly unusual and look great in floral work. Seed heads can also be used in dried arrangements.
Type : Annual
Height : 50cm - 70cm
Position : Full Sun
Growing & Sowing
Sowing method : Best started indoors in seed trays August - September.
When to plant : Transplant out in spring, when big enough and the threat of frost has passed.
Spacing : 30cm apart
Depth : Scabiosa need light to germinate so surface sow followed by a very light cover of fine seed raising mix.
Germination : 7-14 days
Days to maturity :90-95
Harvesting
Flowers : December - March
Seed Heads : Seed heads are usually ready to pick once the petals have fallen.
Dahlia
DAHLIA
Approx. 25 seeds per packet. Seeds taken from decorative dahlias, pom pom, cactus, dinner plate, orchid, ball, collarette, lacinated.
Each seedling will be a wild surprise combo. No seed is ever 100% true to its parent.
Dahlia make wonderful cut flowers with their strong stems and beautiful colours. They don't have a long vase life but they make up for that in beauty. Dahlias can also be dried and used in dried arrangements.
Type : Perennial
Height : 60cm - 120cm
Position : Full Sun
Growing & Sowing
Sowing method : Best started indoors in seed trays August - September.
When to plant : Transplant out in spring, when big enough and the threat of frost has passed.
Spacing : 30cm apart
Depth : Surface sow followed by a very light cover of fine seed raising mix.
Germination : 7-14 days
Days to maturity :90-95
Harvesting
Flowers : December - March
Seed Heads : Seed heads are usually ready to pick once the petals have closed and browned.
Mexican Marigold
Tagetes lemmonii
Approx. 20 seeds per packet
Mexican marigold are great as cut flowers, in cottage gardens and for attracting beneficial insects to your garden. They produce sunny yellow, daisy-like, flowers and have a long flowering period so they really put on a show for most of the year. The leaves have a distinctive smell and can be added to water for a refreshing drink.
Type : Woody evergreen shrub
Height : 1.5m high x 1m wide
Position : Full Sun
Growing & Sowing
Sowing method : Best started indoors in seed trays August - September.
When to plant : Transplant out in spring, when big enough and the threat of frost has passed.
Spacing : 30cm apart
Depth : Surface sow in seed trays followed by a very light cover of fine seed raising mix.
Germination : 7-14 days
Days to maturity :90-95
Harvesting
Flowers : December - August
Seed Heads : Seed heads are usually ready to pick once the seed heads look dry.