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GYPSOPHILA

Gypsophila Piniculata

Commonly called gyp or baby's breath, this species of gypsophila originated in the Mediterranean and eastern Europe. Many tiny flowers are produced on branched stems giving a lacy, snowflake appearance. The flowers are usually white, although a few pink varieties are sometimes available. The most common varieties are 'Perfecta' and, to a lesser extent, "Bristol Fairy".

Available: Year-round.

Pack: In full or half boxes. Number of bunches varies by farm.

Care & Handling:

1. Inspect immediately. Remove half of the bunches from each box to increase air circulation.
2. Be sure to shake out remaining bunches in boxes.
3. Store dry-packed gyp horizontally in floral cooler in closed box. Place on pallets or cleats to maximize air flow around the boxes, keeping flowers fresh and preventing the bottom box from getting wet and soggy. Also, place cleats between each box before stacking.
4. To process, open gyp, shake out bunches and cut 2" off the ends. Place in 6"-10" of cool preservative solution.
5. If your gyp is tight, use a commercial hydrating solution and hot water (up to 110°F). Place gyp bunches in buckets and gently bounce the bunches up and down to stimulate bud opening. Leave buckets outside cooler overnight and transfer to preservative solution in the morning.
6. Remove any brown blossoms from branches. Change preservative solution and clean buckets daily. Re-cutting stems will encourage full blooming.
7. Gyp is sensitive to ethylene. Keep away from all external sources of ethylene, such as fruit, carbon monoxide and decaying plant material.

1. Use as a filler flower in bouquets and arrangements, creating depth and dimension.
2. Use Gyp in victorian style arrangements. Also dries well and is excellent for dried arrangements. Simply hang upside down for a few days.
3. Encourage use in weddings - brides are now carrying bouquets of just baby's breath!!
4. Consider purchasing tinted gyp for special holiday accents (green for St. Patrick's Day, etc.).

GYPSOPHILA CARE ALERT

Plan Ahead:

1. Location. Do not process flowers under forced air vents, heaters, next to fruit or in freezing temperatures.
2. Buckets. Be sure to have enough clean and sanitary buckets on hand. Pre-fill with the correct amount of preservative solution made with warm water (100°-110).
3. Tools. Use sharp and clean flower cutters, knives or underwater cutters. Dull or improper tools like scissors just don't cut it!

1. Inspect immediately to see if the product received matches your packing slip. Check for any damage or disease and notify your buyer immediately of any problems.
2. Remove half of the bunches from each box to increase air circulation. Be sure to shake out remaining bunches in boxes.
3. Place boxes in a floral cooler. Store dry-packed gyp horizontally on pallets or cleats to maximize air flow around the boxes, keeping flowers fresh and preventing the bottom box from getting wet and soggy. Also, place cleats between each box before stacking.

1. Prepare buckets with hot water (hot to the touch) and scouring powder (such as Ajax or Comet).
2. Place gyp bunches in buckets filled with Ajax solution and gently bounce the bunches up and down to stimulate bud opening. Leave buckets out of the cooler overnight.
3. Change the water as the scouring powder solution becomes foul overnight. Refill clean buckets with warm water and flower preservative.

GYPSOPHILA IS VERY SENSITIVE TO ETHYLENE:

1. Gyp is treated at farm level with STS. It is not necessary to retreat, but do store gyp AWAY from produce.
2. Keep work station/display area clean. Fungi and bacteria produce ethylene.
3. Throw all diseased tissue in trash can, not on the floor.

Other conditioning tips:

1. Re-cut stems as needed, preferably underwater.
2. Remove any stems that are infected with Botritis which turns the florets brown. Remember, throw diseased tissue in the trash can, not on the floor. Daily Treatment - Remove brown gyp from bouquets or arrangements. Replace or replenish preservative solution in buckets daily. Throw away unwanted water and thoroughly disinfect empty buckets with bleach and a scrub brush. Replenish display from storage.