Growing Cornflowers

Hi-wasn't sure if this topic should be in another area..but anyway

I wanted to grow a large swath of different cornflower varieties e.g pink, white, 'black', blue and so forth.

Does anyone have any tips on how to get the best results? I've read that it's best to plant them outdoors in early April.(I'm based in Harrogate). Do they need particular soil type and is there any diseases i need to keep an eye on?

Thanks

 

Hi Shane,

I think April should be fine for you being in North Yorkshire, perhaps one of the members from that area such as @clueless1 may give you more localised info.

I don't think that they prefer any specific type of soil but being annuals from cornfields etc they prefer for it to be on the poorer side so I wouldn't feed them.

What you could do is make your first sowing in April then one more about a month later in between the ones you've already sown. This will give you a longer flowering period.

Hope you're gonna share some piccies when they're in flower I love cornflowers and all the other traditional cottage type flowers.

 

Thankyou for the info. I've tried this with Poppies years ago and i think 2 appeared! lol Hope i get better results. Of course i'll share pics

 

I think poppies need winter cold to germinate, so should be sown in autumn. Cornflowers are fine sown about now. Maybe not what you're after, but you can get annual cornfield mixes including e.g. corn marigold and corn cockle as well pretty cheaply. Plus you can obviously mix in other suitable annual seeds as well.

 

Thanks. Actually wanted to plant lots of white cornflowers. They dont have them in garden centres. seem to have every other colour

 

thanks. I'm in UK lol I'm sure alot of this info applies to over here too

 

They were the first plants I grew. Was about 8 years old and would go down the garden every day to check on their progess, even the day after being sown, hoping for some kind of minor miracle. Absolutely love them.

Hope you find what you want and get the results you hope for.

 

oh great They are really lovely and so English. I planted mine a few days back. I had to throw them inbetween the Tulips as they have taken over at the minute. Hope they flower. Thanks mowerman.

 

I'm trying to grow some cornflowers in a cell seed tray in the kitchen! I was hoping to be able to share some with other members at Shineyland & give some to the plant stall, I'm not sure it's going to work but it's worth a try . After reading this thread maybe I will sow some directly into the garden too

 

Interested to see how yours turn out...

I'm about to sow some wildflower mixes on some of the poorer areas of our "grass". Some will be broadcast sown, others in half-toilet-roll modules, to be planted out later. This method will help on the steep bank, where I'm afraid any rain will wash the seeds to the bottom of the bank!

We will have to compare pictures later in the season

 

good luck

 

btw way mower, do i need to keep the seeds constantly moist? It's been sunny here in Leeds, past few days , as well as windy, so, the soils a bit dry. I was wondering if this, 'keeping them moist' is a general rule when planting most types of seedlings outside? If anyone can help that would be great. Ta

 

I'm pleased to say I have cornflower seedlings fingers crossed that I have some plants for Shineyland

 

We cast some cornflower seeds yesterday and hubby seedbombed the verge at the top of our lane