Plantable Wildflower Card – Curious Cow
A plantable greetings card containing a variety of wildflower seeds that will bloom when planted and attract bees and butterflies.
Each card is square approximately 15x15cm in size and is left blank inside for you to write your own message. There are planting instructions on the back of each card.
These cards are made using paper created from pre-consumer recycled cotton that would otherwise be incinerated as waste from the textile industry. Each sheet is handmade using traditional methods in India and supports the financial stability of local communities as well as ensuring traditional paper-making techniques are passed down through generations. The way the paper is made allows for easy breakdown when torn and planted in the soil. Due to the way this paper is made, every single sheet is slightly different in thickness, texture and colour, which makes every single card unique.
Each sheet contains a mixture of wildflower seeds. These seeds can vary in species but are typically: Baby’s Breath, Sweet Alyssum, Rudbeckia, Poppy, Blanket Flower and Ice Plant.
Please note that distribution of seeds, germination success, and types of seed found in every sheet is completely different and there is no guarantee that every card will produce flowers. All cards should be planted in a pot and NOT directly into the ground as ecosystems are fragile. The pot should be kept somewhere warm with plenty of access to sunlight and be watered regularly for the best chance of germination success.
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Once the card is finished with, tear it into small pieces roughly 1×1 inch in size.
2. Soak these pieces in water for 5-10 minutes. Meanwhile add some compost to a medium sized plant pot until it is 3/4 full.
3. Remove the soaked pieces from the water and place on top of the compost.
4. Sprinkle a little more compost over the top, just enough to cover the torn card pieces (don’t worry if you can still see some of the card poking through!)
5. Place the pot in a sunny spot in your garden or, if you’re planting in early spring/late summer, on a sunny windowsill inside or in a greenhouse. Ensure the soil never dries out, but also don’t over-water as this can cause the seeds to become saturated and will stop them from growing – you need just enough water to keep the soil moist.
6. The seeds will start to grow within 3-6 weeks of planting depending on conditions and care. They grow pretty quick once they’ve sprouted! Once the flowers are appearing, place the pot in the garden and watch the bees and other pollinators visit.
