Pyrethrum refers to several Old World plants of the genus Chrysanthemum which are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flower heads. Pyrethrum is also the name of a natural insecticide made from the dried flower heads of C. cinerariifolium and C. coccineum (from wikipedia). This is the reason I decided to add this plant as one of the member in the garden as royal bodyguards against pest in summer. Pyrethrum is a perennial plant and can be grown from seeds or division. We grow a hybrid one from seeds last year in autumn. From our experience germination is rather slow. If you sow earlier, you might get a few blooms the same year. We wait after a year for the plants to bloom like now.
Pyrethrum bud about to bloom indicating summer is just around the corner.
Shadows of pyrethrum in full bloom for Shadow Shot Sunday where interesting shadows picture from all around the world can be enjoyed together. 
Pyrethrum is a tall plant which can grow more than 50cm tall. At the moment, this plant is like having who are the tallest of them all in this patch competition with the climbing bean
Pyrethrum was used for centuries as an insecticide, and as a lice remedy in the Middle East (Persian Powder, also known as "Persian Pellitory"). Because of the natural insecticidal properties of the pyrethrums, they are used as companion plants, to repel pest insects from nearby crops and ornamental plants. They are thought to repel aphids, leafhoppers,spider mites, harlequin bugs, ticks, pickleworms and imported cabbage worms, among others that are in gardens and farms.
Pyrethrum spray: Coarsely grind the dried flower heads and to every firmly packed half-cup of flowers, add 1 litre of boiling water. Leave to stand until cold, strain and add 1 teaspoon of pure soap. Shake well before use. Don’t spray in temperatures over 32degree Celcius. The spray will kill bees so use it when they are not active –in the early morning or evening. Although relatively harmless to people, pyrethrum is still a poison so needs to be carefully labelled and stored out of the reach of children and pets. (from the book~ Herbs for Australian Gardens by Penny Woodward)I have not try home-made pyrethrum yet. We don’t have any dried flower heads as yet. I would like to try it during autumn/winter when the bees are having long holidays.
This is my entry for today's flower and flowers on Saturday .
For more great plant visit Eliza our hostess for How to Find Great Plant#3.
For more great plant visit Eliza our hostess for How to Find Great Plant#3.
20 comments:
Pyrethrum is called "除虫菊/Jochu-giku" in Japan which means "pesticide flower" and is known as an ingredient of "金鳥蚊取り線香/Pyrethrum coil". なつかしいですね。嫁の実家ではまだ使っています。
Don't know is it that i 'katak di bawah tempurung'? I have not seen these flower in my place before? I only have Marigold, orange and yellow as my pest controller in the garden. Can Marigold use the same recipe to make the spray? I only use soap water to spray on the plants, it helps to control pest but i would like to try this new recipe :)
I heard plants that keep mosquitoes away, but not this Pyrethrum, or "除虫菊".
Thanks for sharing.
This is the first time I have heard about pyrethrum and its insecticidal properties. The flowers look like a cross between a sunflower and a daisy and they are lovely.
I think perhaps I might have to try growing pyrethrum next year...very interesting information. I would love to find something I could use to keep aphids off our plants. Thanks for the great tip.
They are just gorgeous and such great information on them.I tried to grow some from seed this spring, a Robinson mix,and thought they just were not going to germinate and tossed the mess. I might have gave up to soon if they are slow to germinate.I will have to try them again and be more patient. LOL!
O love the pinks but the deep pink is my favorite. It is gorgeous.
Interesting post, good Info and nice picture.
In mexico they use it too. It has another name, I can't remember it now, but it is quite effective.
A beautiful collection of flowers! And love the information you supplied with this post too!
What a great post for the day! Lovely, colorful flowers and shadows and some excellent information as well! Thanks! Hope you're enjoying a great weekend!
Sylvia
Very pretty!!!
Gorgeous blooms and shots!
My entries can be found at the following blogs, hope you can visit. Thanks in advance.
Spice Up Your Life
Nostalgic Marveling
Lovely shadow shots. Charmaine
I have tried growing pyrethrum several times but the slugs love the new young growth. I suppose it's a case of one pests poison is another pests treat.
Thanx for all the info! Beautiful shots and flowers.
Erika B
This is very informative post! This is my first time to get to know about Pyrethrum. They are so beautiful!
any kind of flowers are really beautiful
What a useful pretty flower KMJG! Thanks!!
Pyrethrum is the natural solution against pest. As we should use this natural procedure to kill the pest and to make our crop healthier.
Great post-thanks for the info!
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