Cornflowers were originally a wildflower that grew in European meadows or hillsides. Also known as blue hibiscus, etc., it is a biennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. After years of cultivation, many new varieties with large and bright flowers have emerged, including purple, blue, light red, white, etc. Cornflowers are very suitable for cultivation in flower beds, flower borders and other places, and can also be used as potted plants for appreciation. So how to grow cornflowers?

• environment

Cornflowers are highly adaptable and prefer a sunny, cool environment. It is more resistant to cold and heat, but not shade or waterlogging. It likes loose, fertile, well-drained sandy soil; for ground planting, choose a sunny and well-drained place, otherwise it will often die due to moisture. To pot cornflowers, use a mixture of garden soil, leaf humus, plant ash, and river sand, and choose a pot of appropriate size.

• water and fertilizer

Cornflowers like fertilizer, but are afraid of root rot caused by water accumulation in the soil. Maintain adequate water and fertilizer during the growing period. Apply nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash fertilizers every 20 days, and stop applying nitrogen fertilizer when the flower buds are in full bloom. In hot summer, you can water it once in the morning and evening. Drainage should be done in time during the rainy season, and watering can be done once in the morning and evening during high temperature periods. Sprinkle with water to cool. Water control in winter.

• illumination

Cornflowers love light and can receive sufficient sunlight in all seasons except hot summer. Only when the plant has enough water, fertilizer and sufficient sunlight can the plant produce large and beautiful flowers. Cornflowers can be sown not only in spring, autumn and summer. Sow seeds from April to May and bloom from July to October of that year. Cornflowers planted in the ground in the north should be covered or moved into pots in winter. In late October, the flowerpot should be placed indoors in a sunny place and the room temperature should be kept at 8 degrees to survive the winter.

• manage

Cornflower seeds can self-sow and propagate. They are adaptable and easy to cultivate. In the south, sow seeds in August, sow in September, and bloom in February of the following year. It can be sown in early spring in the north and will bloom in June. Do not plant cornflowers too densely. When the seedlings grow 6 true leaves, they can be transplanted with soil. Once the seedlings are established and alive, perform topping to encourage more branching and more flowers. If there are too many branches, some side buds can be removed so that the flowers can bloom. bigger. Also maintain a ventilated environment.