Strawflower is both a flower and a tea, good for ornamental viewing and for brewing tea

Strawflower is also known as shell flower. The flowers are hard, shaped like shells or wheat straw, and resemble chrysanthemums, hence the name. The flowers can be brewed as tea and have effects such as cooling and relieving summer heat, refreshing the mind and lowering blood pressure, with no toxic side effects, making them a fine beverage. The flower colors are gorgeous, the flowering period is long, planting is simple, management is extensive, and adaptability is strong. It can be grown in pots or in the ground, and it is very popular.

1. Plant characteristics. Asteraceae, annual herbaceous flower. Plant height 50-70 cm, leaves dark green, long elliptical, lanceolate, leaves alternate, 7 cm long and 2 cm wide. Flowers double-petaled, flower diameter 5-7 cm, flowers bloom at the top of the stem, with high ornamental value. Flower colors include red, purple, orange, yellow, white, brown, and many mixed colors. The petals have a leathery sheen, dazzling in the sunlight, and a delicate fragrance. Each plant can bloom dozens of flowers at the same time. The flowering period is extremely long, blooming continuously every day from late spring to autumn. The flowers are not afraid of sun, wind, or rain, and the flowers are especially hard. After blooming, they do not wither for a long time, making them a rare "everlasting flower" in floriculture. After cutting, the flowers can still be stored naturally for several months. The flowers do not deform, shrink, or change color, making them the best material for vase arrangements, bouquets, and flower baskets, and also an ideal flower variety for potted plants or arranging flower beds to beautify the environment.

2. Ecological habits. It likes warmth and sunlight, and fears freezing. It is not strict about soil quality and can grow in acidic soil in southern regions and alkaline soil in northern regions, with fertile and loose sandy neutral soil being best. It is relatively drought-tolerant, and long-term waterlogging is detrimental to its growth. The optimal growth and flowering temperature is 15-35°C, and it can grow normally at 7-38°C. Below 5°C or above 38°C, growth slows. In northern regions, after autumn, if the temperature remains below 3°C for a long time, it will wither.

3. Cultivation and management. Sow seeds and raise seedlings in February-March in southern regions and March-April in northern regions. Sow at a depth of 0.3-0.5 cm, keep the seedling soil moist, maintain the temperature at 15-30°C, seedlings emerge in 5-7 days, and when the seedlings have 5-7 leaves, they can be transplanted with soil. For potted plants, choose pots with a diameter of 15-25 cm, planting 1 plant per pot. For flower beds and field planting, the row spacing is 60-80 cm and the plant spacing is 20-25 cm. After planting, water thoroughly, then water again when dry. Water quickly and drain quickly, leaving no standing water around the roots. Drain and prevent waterlogging during the rainy season. From transplanting to flowering takes 50-55 days. Usually, dig holes away from the seedling roots and bury decomposed poultry and livestock manure or multi-element nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer, applying small amounts several times. In dry seasons, red spiders are prone to appear, and in rainy seasons, cabbage caterpillars and other pests are prone to harm the leaves or flowers. High-efficiency, low-toxicity pesticides such as "Kung Fu" or "Miehsaoli" at 1500 times dilution should be sprayed on the leaves and flowers. Within 30 days after applying the pesticide, the flowers must not be picked for brewing tea.

4. Harvesting flowers and saving seeds. In summer, during the peak flowering period, harvest the flowers. Flowers harvested when they first open are of the best quality. Cut off the leaves and stems, dry them in the sun, and store them in sealed buckets, boxes, or plastic bags for brewing tea. In late summer and autumn, cotton-like fuzz appears in the center of the flowers, and the seeds are mature. Harvest them promptly and place them in a sheltered place to dry. After drying, store them. The seeds are dark brown, oblong, about 0.3 cm long and 0.1 cm wide, with 800-900 seeds per gram. Seeds remain viable for 3-4 years. It has strong reproductive capacity; fallen seeds take root, and once planted, it continues for many years. After the seeds mature, they drift with the wind to distant places, take root, and sprout.