Cornflower-hair
Content:
In this article, you will learn how the hair cornflower is used in cosmetology and traditional medicine. How to grow this flower by dividing the bush and seeds. We will also tell you how to properly care for cornflowers.
Cornflower flower: variety description
Cornflower-hair: photo of a flower
Cornflower can be of various colors: white; blue; burgundy; pink; yellow; Violet.
In its natural habitat, it can be observed in wheat fields. Increasingly, this plant is found in garden plots, flower beds and flower beds.
The hair cornflower has blue flowers. This annual can grow up to 80-85 cm. The bud (semi-double or double) is always in one copy. Its diameter can reach 5 cm. The flowering period of this cornflower begins in June and ends towards the end of autumn.
This plant is widespread in Europe, as well as America and Asia. About 500 species of cornflower have been confirmed by scientists. Each of them differs in inflorescences, sometimes in flower shapes (for example, spherical or cylindrical).
The most popular are these varieties:
- Rough cornflower. The height can sometimes be up to one meter. The shade of the flowers is purple.
- Large-headed cornflower. The buds are large, bright, yellow. The height of the flower is no more than 80 cm.
- Whitewashed cornflower. Why whitened? It has this name because of the color of the leaves (below the white edge). Its flowers are deep purple at the edges with a white center. It grows up to 0.8 m.
- Mountain cornflower. Blooms in June, sometimes in July, blooms with blue flowers. This variety is perennial, it can be about 40 cm high.
- A beautiful cornflower. Lilac flowers with a pinkish tinge are in the shape of a ball. The leaves are pinnate and dissected. The height of this plant is small (20 cm).
How and for what purpose can it be used?
Cornflower-hair: photo of a flower
Cornflower hair has medicinal properties. The flowers of this plant contain the following substances: carotene; ascorbic acid; flavonoids; dyes.
It has not only analgesic, but also anti-inflammatory, as well as choleretic and even diuretic effects.
Decoctions can be made from the plant to help with stomach or headaches, as well as with heart disease.
However, like all products containing medicinal substances, cornflower has contraindications. Before you start using it, you definitely need a consultation with a specialist.
Cornflower-hair: growing and planting
Cornflower-hair: photo of a flower
It is better to choose a sunny and open place for planting cornflower-hairs. In compositions with other plants, it should be planted in the first row to get enough light.
The hair cornflower not only decorates flower beds and goes well with shrubs, but also serves to protect the earth from erosion.
When planted in flower beds, cornflowers look great with calendula and poppies, since they bloom in the same period of time. In the alpine slides, it is better to plant low species.
Cornflowers look very original in compositions where Fassen's catnip, silver-blue alpine bluehead, dicentra, blue aquilegia are present. Annual species of cornflower are grown on window sills on the back of the window, on balconies.
Seeds are planted in April. The soil should have neutral acidity and a sufficient humus content. But if the soil is acidic, it is diluted with lime. Its layer is about one cm. This procedure is done in the fall once every three years. To achieve abundant flowering, fertilizers are applied before it begins.
But in open ground, annual specimens of the plant are planted with seeds without transplanting, since they will not tolerate it. In peat pots, cornflower is planted for seedlings. They are transferred to flower beds or flower beds in May. The distance between shoots should be about 30 cm, for this they need to be thinned out.
To transplant perennial types of cornflower-hairs, you need to use the method of dividing the bush. At the end of summer, cornflowers are dug up, the stem is cut to 10 cm. The roots must be cleaned of soil, rinsed and divided into 2 parts. Each part should have 2-3 buds. Each section is transplanted into a separate hole with compost. You need to water as the soil dries up, about three times every 7 days. With this method, cornflowers will bloom already with the onset of next summer.
To collect seeds, you need to wait until the inflorescences wither, their center will turn dark. Then the inflorescences are plucked and placed in a dry place for 21 days. After this time, the seeds are taken out, placed in a paper bag and stored at home.
Cornflower diseases and the fight against them
"Fusarium wilting" - this fungal disease can affect cornflower. The flower itself and the earth around it are subject to processing from it. To do this, you can use a foundation, a weak infusion of manure or ash.
Such a simple, but very cute, cornflower will add originality to any flower bed. And the ease of care will appeal to all gardeners, both experienced and beginners.
