How do cornflowers survive the winter?

Cornflower Growing Conditions

Cornflowers are relatively cold-resistant, like sunlight, and require fertile soil with good drainage. Cornflowers are highly adaptable, easy to cultivate, and can also reproduce by self-seeding. Moreover, cornflowers prefer dense planting. If they are planted sparsely, they will grow poorly.

Winter conditions for cornflowers

Outdoor planting

In areas south of central China, cornflowers do not need to take any anti-freeze measures and can overwinter directly in the open field. But in North China, it is necessary to cover with cold-proof materials in winter. In winter, cornflowers can be buried in the soil continuously to overwinter, and then taken out in the early spring of the following year and transplanted into pots. Because cornflowers have few lateral roots and are not resistant to transplantation, they must be carried with the soil when transplanted, otherwise they will not survive easily. Apply 5 times the amount of decomposed fertilizer at intervals of 10 days or 1 month, and continue until March of the following year to wait for flowering.

Indoor potted plants

Potted cornflowers require fertile and loose soil. It is best to mix wood ash with garden soil and rotten leaves to make the potting soil. Fertilize frequently until flower buds appear. Or bring cornflowers indoors before winter. The room temperature needs to be kept between 8 and 15 degrees Celsius and watered appropriately. Place it in a sunny location and apply a small amount of diluted compound fertilizer. Then, just wait for it to bloom.

Precautions for cornflower maintenance in winter

Guaranteed temperature

Cornflowers are highly adaptable and prefer plenty of sunlight, but are not tolerant to moisture. When planting, soil with good permeability is generally selected. Special attention should be paid in winter to maintain a suitable temperature. But for indoor maintenance, do not place it near the air outlet of the air conditioner or too close to the heater.

Reduce watering

It is enough to water cornflowers once every 3 to 5 days in other seasons, but water evaporates slowly in winter, and cornflowers themselves do not need too much water. It is enough to water them once every half a month, depending on the size of the flowerpot.