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Cornflower seeds

Centaurea is an annual or biennial herb of the genus Centaurea in the asteraceae family, also known as blue hibiscus, wheel flower, and blue centaurea. The cornflower is about 30-70 cm tall, erect, branched from the middle, rarely unbranched. All the stems are grayish white, with thin spider - like curly hair. Basal leaves and lower stem leaves long elliptic oblanceolate or lanceolate, not divided, margin whole margin unserrate or sparsely serrate to large pinnately divided, lateral lobes 1-3 pairs, long elliptic oblanceolate, linear-lanceolate or linear-lanceolate, margin whole margin unserrate, apex lobes larger, long elliptic oblanceolate or lanceolate, margin serrate. Terminal capitulum, most or a few arranged corymbs or panicles on the top of the stem branches, the margin of the lingual flower is funnel-shaped, the edge of the petal is toothed, the central flower is tubular, the flowers are white, red, blue, purple and other colors. Achene oval. Fruit period from 2 to 8 months.

Centaurea is native to southeastern Europe, mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. In China, it is mainly distributed in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi and Tibet. Cornflower like full sunshine, not tolerant of dampness, like cool climate, more cold, not tolerant of heat. It is advisable to choose a plot with no water accumulation, relatively flat or a certain slope, and the soil quality is fertile, loose and sandy soil with good drainage. Centaurea is straight root, suitable for direct broadcasting, spring and autumn can be sown, germination temperature is 15-20℃.

Cornflower is currently cultivated as an ornamental plant, the dwarf cornflower is only 20 cm tall, can be used for flower beds, grass border or potted flower viewing. High-stem varieties can be used as garden background or cut flowers, and dwarf varieties, especially blue flowers, can be used as summer flower bed materials to enhance the cool atmosphere.

Morphological characteristics

stems

Tall 30-70 cm or more, erect, branched from middle, rarely unbranched. All stems are grayish white, covered with thin arachnid curly hair.

leaf

Basal leaves and lower stem leaves long elliptic oblanceolate or lanceolate, not divided, margin entire unserrate or sparsely serrate to large-head pinnately divided, lateral lobes 1-3 pairs, leaves about 15 cm long. 

Long elliptic lanceolate, linear-lanceolate or linear, margin unserrated throughout, top lobe larger, long elliptic oblanceolate or lanceolate, margin serrated. Middle stem and leaf linear, broadly linear or linear-lanceolate, 

4 -- 9 cm long, 4 -- 8 mm wide, apical acuminate, base cuneate, without petiole margin entire margin unserrate, upper stem and middle stem and leaf alike, but gradually smaller. All stems and leaves on both sides 

heterochromic or subheterochromic, green or gray-green above, covered with sparse spider hair or depilation, pale on the side, covered with thin fuzz.

flowers

Most or few of the heads are arranged in corymbs or panicles at the apex of the stem branches. Involucral elliptic, 1-1.5 cm in diameter, with sparsely silky hair. The involucral bracts are about 7 layers, all of which are oval 

from the outside to the inside, long and oval, the outer and middle layers including the apical appendages are 3-6 mm long and 2-4 mm wide, and the inner layer including the apical appendages are 1-11 cm long and 

3-4 mm wide. All bracts have light brown or white apical appendages, the outer appendages are larger, the inner appendages are larger, all appendages are short down along the bracts, and the edges are tassel-like serrated. 

The border flowers are enlarged, longer than the central disc flowers, blue, white, red, or purple, the eaves are 5-8 cleft, and the disc flowers are light blue or red.

fruit

The fruit is achene-oval, 3 mm long and 1.5 mm wide, with fine stripes and sparse white hairs. Corolla white or light earth red, 2 row, outer row multilayer, gradually lengthening to inner layer, up to 3 mm, inner row 1 layer, 

very short; All crested just hairy. Fruit period from 2 to 8 months

Distribution range

It is native to southeastern Europe, mainly distributed in the Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. In China, it is widely cultivated in parks, gardens and schools in Xinjiang, Qinghai, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hebei, Shandong, 

Jiangsu, Hubei, Guangdong and Xizang provinces. There may be a naturalization escape in Xinjiang and Qinghai.

Growing environment

Centaurs grow in fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam at altitudes of 200 to 600 m.

Growth habit

Cornflower adaptability is strong, love light, cold, not damp, avoid heat. Soil requirements are not strict, but prefer fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam. Cornflower is a long day plant, winter day is short night long, 

artificial light at night, can bloom early. Fruit period from 2 to 8 months.

Mode of reproduction

The cornflower is propagated by sowing method and can be sown in spring and autumn. Its ability to reproduce is strong, the first natural growth in grain crops. Cornflower generally in September to October for open field 

seedbed sowing seedlings. The seed is not light, and it is necessary to cover the soil after sowing, and the thickness of the soil cover is appropriate to not see the seed. Then water and keep the soil moist for about 10 days 

to emerge. When the seedlings grow to a height of about 10 cm, transplanting is carried out, or the direct seedling is thinned.

Cultivation technique

Select the land to prepare the land

Centaurea is suitable for growing in sandy soil with loose soil, fertility and smooth drainage. Planting site should choose no water, relatively flat or have a certain slope of the plot. The soil can be deep-turned, fine-raked and 

levelled before sowing.

If cultivated in the basin, the basin soil should be as far as possible to ensure its good drainage and ventilation, if the soil viscosity is heavy, you can mix 3-4 percent of the snake wood dust or pearl stone.

Sowing and raising seedlings

Centaurea is straight root, suitable for direct broadcasting, can be sown in spring and autumn, mostly in the north, microclimate environment can use autumn sowing. Spring sowing is advisable to sow as early as possible, usually 

in late April to May. Cornflower like dense planting, but not too dense sowing, otherwise easy to grow. Gently comb the plot after sowing with a rake, cover the soil should not be too thick after sowing, it is appropriate to cover 

the seeds tightly, cover the soil too thick, the seedlings will be uneven, and stone roller and other roller after covering the soil to make the seeds and soil closely combined. Covering non-woven cloth or straw curtains increases 

ground temperature, promotes seed germination, and pours water on the mulch (grass curtains)

Primary value

Ornamental value

With beautiful color and tall and straight plants, the landscape effect is remarkable whether it is single sowing or combined planting. High-stem varieties can be used as garden background or cut flowers, and dwarf varieties can 

be arranged in flower beds or potted plants, especially blue flower varieties as summer flower bed layout materials, which can improve the cooling atmosphere of cold colors, bring refreshing coolness to the hot summer, so as to 

improve the ornamental comfort.

Ecological value

The bluebonnet can monitor the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air, and once the amount of sulfur dioxide in the air is too high, the bluebonnet will dry out or fall because of the loss of water, and cannot flower normally.

Economic value

The blue juice extracted from cornflower petals can be used to dye food, as well as to process blue inks, watercolors, and linen dyes. Centaurea can also be used as a raw material to extract anthocyanins. It can also be made into 

shampoo, shower gel, cream and other basic maintenance products to help people beauty and relax

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