Product Review

Chrysantheum Coccineum Pyrethrum flower seed, also known as Painted Daisy, produces 2-3 inch daisy-like flowers in red, pink, lilac and white with a yellow center in late spring to early summer. The foliage has divided leaves with a strong scent. Pyrethrum prefers a fertile, well drained soil and full sun in the North or partial shade in the South. If cut back after blooming, will bloom again in the fall, but the fall blooms are not as showy as the early summer blooms, and some experts say this practice weakens the plant. Pyrethrums (such as chrysanthemums) contain a natural low-toxicity natural insecticide that effectively deters many types of insects and small pests from entering your garden. In fact, the United States Department of Agriculture reports that the pyrethrum is currently the safest insecticide available for use.You can plant Pyrethrum among your vegetable crops or other flowers to help repel harmful insects. After the flowers bloom inJune to July, the flower heads are used to make an insecticide powder. Once the flowers start to dry on the plant, remove and hang upside down in a dry area. After the flowers have completely dried, they must be ground into a fine powder. This powder can be used as an insecticide. You can sprinkle the powder on the insects or you can make a strong tea and spray on the insects. It kills soft bodied insects by rapidly paralyzing them (it must be applied directly to the insects), but has little residual effect. Use only as a last resort, as pyrethrum kills some beneficial insects as well.