The paper button (Ammobium alatum) is an attractive summer flower which is particularly suitable for rock gardens. You can also enjoy the annual plant from the composite family beyond the garden season, as the paper button can be used as a dried flower and made into attractive bouquets and flower arrangements. The frugal plants require only little maintenance. We have put together the following list of care instructions.<\/p>\n
Correct casting<\/h2>\n
The water requirement of the paper button is rather moderate. The plant also tolerates longer dry periods. If watering is once neglected, this is less tragic than overdoing it with irrigation. The plants coming from Australia do not tolerate humid soils. If the moisture persists over a longer period of time, this leads to waterlogging. The roots are attacked and the plant begins to rot.<\/p>\n
Potted plants are particularly affected by waterlogging as a result of watering errors. Therefore, when selecting the appropriate plant pot, it is important to ensure that there are sufficient drainage holes for the liquid in the bottom of the pot. A drainage system can also protect against waterlogging. To do this, simply place shards of clay or gravel on the bottom of the container before potting the plant.<\/p>\n
“Tip:<\/strong> Do not water the plant until the substrate has dried.<\/p>\n
Pour paper button:<\/p>\n
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moderate watering<\/li>\n
Earth may dry up<\/li>\n
Avoid waterlogging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Proper fertilizing<\/h2>\n
In order to promote flowering, it is advisable to supply the paper button with fertilizer from time to time during the growing period. Liquid fertilizers for flowering plants are preferred. This is easy to dose and can easily be added to the irrigation water.<\/p>\n
If you add compost to the soil when planting, you supply the paper button with an organic slow-release fertilizer, which supplies the plant with nutrients throughout the summer. Additional fertilization is then usually not necessary.<\/p>\n
” Attention:<\/strong> The plant should not be overfertilized. If the supply of nutrients is too high, there is a danger that the flowers will literally fall apart.<\/p>\n
Paper button fertilize:<\/p>\n
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apply liquid fertiliser during the flowering period<\/li>\n
Add compost to the substrate<\/li>\n
Avoid overfertilization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
Multiply paper buttons<\/h2>\n
The paper button can be multiplied by seeds. Seeds are available on the market all year round. You can also extract them from existing seed plants. Then the flower heads cannot be used as dried flowers, or you can keep some flowers and let them bloom or fade.<\/p>\n
“Tip:<\/strong> If the paper buttons are to be used as dried flowers, they must be cut before the flower heads are fully opened.<\/p>\n
The seeds are preferred in the house. This can already be started in March. To do this, fill a plant container with growing soil and spread the seeds on it. These are covered with a thin layer of earth and germinate at temperatures around 15 degrees. After the ice saints, you can plant the young plants outdoors.<\/p>\n
Overview of care measures<\/h2>\n
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care measure<\/th>\n
explanation<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
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casting <\/td>\n
It is cast only moderately. \nA dry floor is better tolerated than stagnant water. \nIf the plant is kept in a tub, it needs regular watering. \nMake sure that the planter is well permeable.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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fertilizing <\/td>\n
In order to promote flowering, liquid fertilizer should be added. \nOverfertilisation should be avoided. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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cutting <\/td>\n
The paper button does not have to be cut.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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hibernation <\/td>\n
The plant is annual and is disposed of in autumn. \nA hibernation is not necessary. \nIn their native Australia alone, the plants are perennial.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
Detecting and combating diseases and pests<\/h2>\n
The paper button is only rarely attacked by diseases and pests. <\/p>\n
If the flowers seem to hang their heads for no reason, this could indicate an infestation with a mould fungus. If the plants are attacked by mould, this can be recognized by a whitish layer, which covers the leaves. The formation of moulds is usually due to maintenance errors.<\/p>\n
“Tip:<\/strong> The main causes of mould infestation are high humidity and a location that is too damp.<\/p>\n
If the irrigation water cannot drain off, the substrate begins to mould due to overwatering. This occurs particularly frequently when the paper buttons are planted in the bucket and there is little substrate available. The mould spores then spread rapidly and cover the substrate and the plant pot like a net. All infested parts of the plant must be removed immediately. If the mould infestation is already far advanced, only chemical pesticides can help. However, this should be well considered, because it is an annual plant. In this case, disposal would probably be more environmentally friendly.<\/p>\n