Guide to growing Fringe Flower - Schizanthus
Schizanthus are bushy half hardy annuals that range from 30cm to 1.2M in height.
They bloom from spring to autumn (dependent upon when sown) with orchid like flowers of pink, purple, red or yellow.
Some of the common names for Schizanthus include Fringe Flower, Butterfly Flower and Poor Man's Orchid.
How to grow Fringe Flower
It is best to grow Fringe flower and other members of the Schizanthus genus indoors from seeds. They should be sown at a depth of 3mm in a rich soil of pH 6 to 7 about 2 months before the last expected frost of spring. It should take about two or three weeks for the Schizanthus seeds to germinate in the dark at a temperature of 15 to 23 degrees centigrade. Once growing, transplant the Schizanthus (Fringe flower) seedlings outdoors in the middle of spring a couple of weeks after the last chance of a frost. They should be grown in a sunny part of the garden and spaced from 25cm (small Schizanthus species), 40cm (medium varieties) or 60 to 80cm (large Schizanthus varieties) apart.
Caring for Fringe Flower - Schizanthus
It is not easy to look after Schizanthus species. To get a nice bushy growth the plants should be pinched back at the tips (plant parts) when they reach 8cm, and again when they reach 16cm in height. The young plants should be supported with stakes. Water regularly to keep the soil moist, but avoid getting water on the leaves and flowers. If you require more Schizanthus plants then it is best to grow them from seed or to purchase them from a garden center.