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Cut Tithonia - Mexican Sunflower wilt?

Posted by chris_chico 10A (My Page) on
Sun, Oct 25, 09 at 10:25

I have a 4 yr. old Tithonia which is about 18' tall and shoots out lots of blooms. Everytime I cut flowers from it the leaves wilt on the cuttings immediately no matter how fast I get them under water? The flowers hold up a little better, but they do drop petals pretty fast usually within a 2-3 days. Is this the norm from others experiences with Tithonia? Thanks!


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Cut Tithonia - Mexican Sunflower wilt?

Chris, I was hoping someone would answer this because I'd like to know too! I grew tithonia last year, and only cut a few blooms for bouquets, but they wilted soon. (This year I didn't have luck with germination, so I didn't get to try again - they are not perennial here, so I have to start all over again each year. Lucky you with a 4-yr-old plant!).

I linking to a page from a Google search. Seems this might be one of those cutflowers where you have to sear the stem. I'm going to try again next spring.

Good luck!
:)
Dee

Here is a link that might be useful: tithonia as a cutflower - google search


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RE: Cut Tithonia - Mexican Sunflower wilt?

I experienced the same with my plants. I wonder if the wilting is the result of the hollow flower stem? I won't grow them again because they break over in our heavy downpours. They do have beautiful blooms, though, and the butterflies loved them.

Mary


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RE: Cut Tithonia - Mexican Sunflower wilt?

I found this info for you all. Please let us know how this works...

To maximize vase life, seal the tips of their hollow stems by plunging them into boiling water after cutting, or singe the cut ends with a flame before placing the stems into a vase of water.


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Ooops...

Someone already posted that info. Sorry. I might have to grow these next year. They are pretty!


 
 

 

 


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