How to Grow Cornflower? A Complete Guide to Cultivation and Care Methods
Cornflower (Centaurea cyanus) originated in Europe and is regarded as the national flower of Germany. Cornflower is not only ornamental but also edible, and it is an excellent honey plant with certain medicinal value, so its economic value is very high. Some flower enthusiasts like to grow cornflower in pots themselves. We have compiled the cultivation methods for cornflower and some issues to pay attention to during cultivation, so friends who need it can learn together.
Cornflower
Cornflower likes full sunlight and a cool climate, dislikes summer heat, and prefers fertile, loose soil. Because it has a taproot, it is best sown directly. For early flowering with autumn sowing, it can overwinter in a cold frame, and cornflower can bloom by late spring. Because cornflower does not tolerate transplanting, it must be moved with a soil ball, otherwise it will not recover easily. After planting and establishment, apply diluted decomposed human manure liquid at 5 times water once every 10 days or half a month, and stop fertilizing in March of the following year to wait for flowering. If grown in pots, the potting soil should be loose and fertile; it is best to use a mixed soil of garden soil, leaf mold, and wood ash, etc. When the seedlings have 6-7 leaves, carry out the first transplanting; as they grow afterward, repot at least into a three-can pot, because cornflower has a taproot system and large seedlings do not tolerate transplanting. In winter, it can be continuously buried in soil to overwinter, then taken out in early March. Fertilize frequently, and stop fertilizing when flower buds appear.
It has strong cold resistance and can be planted in the open ground in East China; in North China it must be covered to overwinter; it likes fertile and loose soil; it likes full sunlight; it can self-sow; it has strong adaptability and is easy to cultivate. When grown for cut flowers, greenhouses are usually used to force flowering: sow in August, plant out in September, and flowers can be produced in February of the following year. In warm areas south of the pass, it is generally sown from August to September, overwintered in the open ground with cover, planted out in early spring of the second year, and blooms in early summer. In Northeast China, it is sown in greenhouses in spring. Because the root of cornflower is a taproot with few lateral roots, transplanting must be done with soil when the seedlings are small; larger seedlings are not easy to survive, so it is often sown directly in spring. Cornflower can also reproduce by self-sowing. In addition, cornflower likes dense planting; otherwise, it actually grows poorly.
Cornflower is robust, relatively cold-tolerant, likes sunlight, and requires fertile, loose, well-drained soil. It is generally sown directly in a seedbed in September. In areas south of Central China, it can overwinter in the open ground without cold protection in winter, and is transplanted in November or early March of the following year. In North China, autumn-sown seedlings are transplanted once when they grow 2-3 true leaves, moved into a sunny cold frame before winter, covered with cold protection materials in winter, and planted out in the open ground in early spring of the following year. Base fertilizer should be applied before planting out. Because cornflower has a taproot system and does not tolerate transplanting, it must be moved with a relatively large soil ball. The stems of cornflower are thin and weak and tend to lodge, so the planting spacing should not be too dense; prevent excessive growth density and poor ventilation that can cause lodging. During the seedling stage, pinch off the growing tips to encourage more branching and make the plants shorter, so they bloom more and have a graceful shape. During the growing period, apply liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, but note that too much nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied; appropriately apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the stems firm and the flower colors vivid. At the same time, watering should be moderate, not excessive. During the rainy season, be sure to drain promptly, otherwise it will cause root rot and affect the normal growth of the plants.
Cornflower Growing Methods and Cornflower Planting Tips
Cornflower is a herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family. Its stem is straight and entirely white, branching from the middle section. The leaves grow alternately and are lanceolate; the basal leaves are generally pinnately lobed; the stem leaves have thin arachnoid hairs, and the lower part has thin down. The terminal inflorescence is paniculate or corymbose-shaped. Flower colors include blue, pale red, white, and pale purple, among which purple and blue are relatively precious, giving off a faint delicate fragrance. This plant is mainly abundant in Europe, especially in the German countryside, where it can be seen everywhere and is regarded as the national flower.
Cornflower seeds are generally sown in spring and autumn, with autumn being better, around mid-August to mid-to-late September. When planting, sow the seeds in an open-ground seedbed, press lightly, then water an appropriate amount, cover with grass, and they can germinate quickly; after sprouting, remove the grass on top. When the leaves grow to 6-7, they can be transplanted; they can be planted out in November, and afterward apply a 1:5 decomposed human manure liquid once every 10 days or half a month, until February to March of the following year. For pot sowing, fertile and loose soil is needed; it is recommended to add mixed soil such as leaf mold.
Cornflower Growing Methods
Cornflower has strong adaptability, is easy to survive, is convenient to plant, has strong cold resistance, and likes light. It can be planted in a place with sufficient light, smooth drainage, and good air circulation, and must not be placed in a damp, shady environment.
Soil: The soil should preferably be loose, well-drained, fertile sandy soil. The growing soil should preferably maintain good ventilation and facilitate drainage. If the soil is too clayey, 30%-40% snakewood chips or perlite can be mixed into the soil.
Watering: Generally, watering once a day is enough to meet its needs. However, in hot and dry summer weather, water once in the morning and once in the evening to meet water needs and cool the soil at the same time. Be careful not to water too much and cause accumulation in the pot.
Fertilizing: Many plants need fertile soil, and cornflower is no exception. During the growing period, apply diluted three-element liquid fertilizer about once a month on average. If the leaves grow too vigorously, the nitrogen component can be appropriately reduced. Before flowering, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be applied to promote flower growth.
Flowering period management: This plant will grow side branches, and too many are not good for flower growth, so unnecessary side buds can be appropriately removed, while keeping some small branches, so that the flowers grow large and abundant. Because cornflower needs long-term light, and winter sunlight is insufficient, plant lights can be used to make up for the lack of sunlight and promote flowering.
Cornflower is robust, relatively cold-tolerant, likes sunlight, and requires fertile, loose, well-drained soil. It is generally sown directly in a seedbed in September. In areas south of Central China, it can overwinter in the open ground without cold protection in winter, and is transplanted in November or early March of the following year. In North China, autumn-sown seedlings are transplanted once when they grow 2-3 true leaves, moved into a sunny cold frame before winter, covered with cold protection materials in winter, and planted out in the open ground in early spring of the following year. Base fertilizer should be applied before planting out. Because cornflower has a taproot system and does not tolerate transplanting, it must be moved with a relatively large soil ball. The stems of cornflower are thin and weak and tend to lodge, so the planting spacing should not be too dense; prevent excessive growth density and poor ventilation that can cause lodging. During the seedling stage, pinch off the growing tips to encourage more branching and make the plants shorter, so they bloom more and have a graceful shape. During the growing period, apply liquid fertilizer once every 20 days, but note that too much nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied; appropriately apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the stems firm and the flower colors vivid. At the same time, watering should be moderate, not excessive. During the rainy season, be sure to drain promptly, otherwise it will cause root rot and affect the normal growth of the plants.
Once you have learned the growing methods for cornflower, hurry and bring cornflower home to care for it.
Cornflower Cultivation and Uses
Cornflower
Aliases:Blue cornflower, lychee chrysanthemum, emerald blue.
Family and genus:Native to Europe; it is an annual herbaceous plant in the Asteraceae family, genus Centaurea.
Appearance and form
Stem:There are tall and dwarf varieties; the stem often has teeth or pinnate lobes; plant height 30-90 cm.
Branches:Much branched, branches slender and long.
Leaves:Stems and leaves have white down; leaves are linear, with entire margins.
Flowers:Summer is the flowering season for cornflower. The medium-sized flower heads grow at the tips of slender stems; the marginal ligulate flowers are funnel-shaped, with toothed petal edges; the central flowers are tubular, in colors such as white, red, blue, and purple, but mostly blue.
Varieties:There are about 500 species in the same genus. Commonly cultivated ornamental ones include American cornflower, sweet cornflower, mountain cornflower, and soft-haired cornflower, etc.
Care essentials
Water:Water appropriately during the growing period to prevent root rot.
Light:It has strong adaptability, likes sufficient sunlight, and does not tolerate damp shade. It should be planted in a place with sufficient sunlight and good drainage, otherwise it may die from damp shade.
Soil:It likes fertile, loose, and well-drained sandy soil. If potted, the potting soil should be loose and fertile; it is best to use a mixed soil of garden soil, leaf mold, wood ash, etc. When the seedlings have 6-7 leaves, carry out the first transplanting; as they grow afterward, repot into a larger pot, because cornflower has a taproot system and large seedlings do not tolerate transplanting. In winter, it can be continuously buried in soil to overwinter, then taken out in early March.
Propagation:Generally by sowing, with autumn sowing being better.
Indoor uses:Cornflower can beautify the skin and relax the mood. Many skincare products contain cornflower ingredients. Because it is very mild and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects, it can soften, soothe the skin, and make the skin elastic and full of vitality, making it especially suitable for eye care and nursing. Cornflower also has good moisturizing effects. Regularly washing the hair with cornflower flower water can care for and nourish the hair, making it flow beautifully.
In spring and autumn, when the climate is dry, the skin very much needs timely replenishment of moisture. At this time, you might as well brew a cup of cornflower moisturizing flower tea. The method is very simple:Take 2 grams each of cornflower and rose, steep in boiling water until the flavor is released, then add an appropriate amount of honey and drink. This flower tea has the effect of nourishing liver function and regulating blood circulation, and can make the skin more moist and supple.
Special tips:Cornflower is afraid of both heat and cold, so during care do not let strong light shine directly on it, nor keep it out of sunlight for a long time. When using cornflower flowers for beauty, it is best to make them into dried flowers.