Flowers, classic for our climate, are fed up with many, and more and more gardeners decorate their plots with unusual plants from faraway countries. Many of them require complex, expensive care, but there are some quite unpretentious flowers. A bright option to diversify the flowerbed will be the bright balls of the craspedia - a flower of Australian origin.
Description
A flower with an exotic name Kraspediya appeared in our area relatively recently. Around the 1980s of the 19th century, it was taken out of its native Australia and distributed throughout the world. In its wild form, the plant is perennial, but in our climate it is grown as an annual. 
Craspedia belongs to Asteraceae, there are about 30 species in the genus, but florists and gardeners grow only one - spherical craspedia. The flower looks exotic - a bright yellow ball of many small flowers on a long leafless stalk.
Landing
The plant is very fond of light, so the landing of the craspedia should be carried out on a site well-lit by sunlight, away from the shade. It is better to stop the choice on sandy, drained or loamy soil. The flower came to us from the warm southern countries, and many are waiting for its flowering at the beginning of summer, but, in fact, the craspedia blooms towards the end of August, when the light day will decrease.
Important! It is better not to sow the seeds of this plant in the open ground - they are very small, they cannot break through even the thinnest layer of earth and die.
Breeding
An exotic flower is propagated by seeds and seedlings. The cycle is quite long: in order for the craspedia to please the eye in August, it is necessary to start working on its landing in February.
Growing from seed
For trouble-free cultivation of seed craps from the seeds, it is better to use peat soil. It is most convenient to plant this crop in special pots, which will protect the roots during further manipulations. Seeds are small, place them closer to the surface, it is not necessary to fall asleep or bury them. Then add a little substrate on top and immediately put it tightly in a special box or close it with a film. 
In order for the plant to germinate, the box must be removed in a bright, warm place. In winter, the greenhouse or the lighted window in the house is ideal for this.
The next 2-3 weeks should be every day for about half an hour to give the plants breathe. If everything goes well, by the end of this period the first shoots will appear. Now the film can be completely removed and gently watered sprouts.
Growing from seedlings
Shoots appear on the 2-3rd week. Until the end of May, the seedlings of the crapedia do not require special care - they should be monitored as well as other unpretentious plants. When it is warmer outside and the temperature does not drop to zero at night, young plants can be transplanted into the ground. Between shoots should be left about 30 cm distance, so that they do not interfere with each other.
Rassadny way you can also grow fragrant tobacco, petunia, Lisianthus, zinnia, left, statice, cosme.
The growing craspedia is no longer covered with a film and they begin to be watered gently. For good growth, it is recommended to provide shoots with additional illumination with a fluorescent lamp, otherwise the care is no different from the care of seedlings of other colors.
Important! Craspedia never blooms before August, because it focuses on diminishing daylight hours. But it is necessary to plant it in advance, in February, when late sowing of flowering can not wait at all.In the garden kraspediyu planted around the end of May. There is no exact time, they are guided by the weather. In order for the bush to settle down, it is necessary to dig a shallow hole, pour a thin layer of gravel, fine brick chips or coarse sand into it and distribute the compost in a thin layer. Between saplings it is necessary to leave 25 cm of the distance, as later the crape will begin to grow in breadth.
Care
Due to the fact that kraspediya - a rather exotic plant, many are afraid to plant it. Gardeners think that the flower will require complex and expensive care, but in fact it is quite unpretentious and with some rules it grows well in our climate. 
Watering
Although the flower comes from hot, arid lands, it is capricious with regard to water. Kraspediyu need to be watered regularly, especially during dry periods, and make sure that the flower does not flood.
Did you know? The flower has adapted to the arid climate and is able to accumulate and store moisture. On the leaves and stems of dew or rainwater flows into the center, feeding the flower with additional moisture.
Top dressing
From the first days of planting, it is necessary to regularly apply nitrogen and organic fertilizers. When the plant begins to bloom, leave only high-quality organic fertilizers. 
Diseases and pests
Kraspedia flower tolerates both hot weather and light frosts. It does not suffer much from insects and other pests, it does not need special protection.
Application in landscape design
The flowering of craspedia begins in the second half of August. This flower is very fond of florists for an interesting feature - when it dries up, the flowers do not crumble, but simply harden. The flower remains as bright and beautiful, while it is durable and keeps its shape well. Therefore, in winter bouquets and decorations dry kraspedii can be seen constantly, they are often used for interior design.
Did you know? Dried flowers of kraspedii are very strong, they withstand even light tapping on hard surfaces. For this feature in the people the flower is called "drumsticks".Unfortunately, domestic landscape designers rarely use this sunny flower, because it has been cultivated recently and does not apply to perennial plants, which are usually preferred for bed and field decorations. And it is in vain, because there are not so many plants that bloom in late summer and autumn, and the bright, unusual craspedia perfectly diversifies the design of the flower bed.
The flower goes well with daisies, white yarrow or nivyanik, will look great with lavender.Growing and caring for "drumsticks" is no more difficult than for most of the plants we are used to. So feel free to grasp the landing - Kraspediya will be the perfect decoration for a flower bed and will decorate the interior of your home.
