Growing Flax in Containers

 

The scientific name of flax plant is Linum Usitatissimum and growing the plant in containers requires usual care and proper knowledge about the plant.

 

Flax Plant Info

USDA hardiness zones: Four through ten

Difficulty: Very easy

The Soil pH: the soil pH is Neutral

The Flax plant actually belongs to the family Linaceae. The scientific name of Flax plant is Linum Usitatissimum. The Flax plant is primarily grown for its seeds and also for its fiber. The Flax plant is the primary source of Omega-3 fatty acids, also it is widely used in the textile industry to make popular linen clothes. As a gardener you can also grow Flax in your garden and also use it in combination with other annual or perennial plants and ornamental grasses. 

 

Growing Flax in Containers

Flax propagation: Sow the Flax plant seeds directly in the desired container. If you are growing them in the garden, it actually needs a well-loosened ground cleared from weeds. You can also sow the Flax plant seeds in seed tray indoors five weeks before last frost date and then transplant later to the containers or in the garden if you have a short summer season. The germination of flax seeds is quite easy, it occurs in three weeks and does not require extra care but little watering.

Planting Flax seeds: The plant grows in well drained, light soil. In clay soil, mix the sand. You can also add aged manure or compost, as soil that is rich in organic matter is required for optimum growth. If you are growing flax in pots you need to choose a soilless potting mix.

Choose a pot: Make sure you choose a pot that is at least ten inches deep and it must have sufficient drainage holes. Try and find a short varieties as flax plant can grow between twelve to thirty-six inches tall, depending on the variety and growing conditions.

 

Requirements for Growing Flax Plant

The position: The Flax need to be planted in a sunny position in a well-drained soil.

Soil requirement: Actually the common flax plant requires slightly moist substrate and it does not like water logging soil.

Water requirement: Watering the flax plants should be regular but light after planting until flowering.

Plant spacing: Once the Flax seedlings have germinated and it has grown a few inches tall, you can thin them, leaving the space of about ten inches between each plant. In a standard pot of about ten inches circumference, you can grow two to three plants.

 

 

How to Care for Flax Plant

Fertilizer requirement: The application of a general purpose fertilizer is sufficient for the flax plant that is growing in the home garden on the ground or in a pot.

 

Pests and Disease Control

The Flax plant is actually prone to fungal diseases and rusts. You can actually prevent these diseases by providing good air circulation around the Flax plants and also care in watering. For the Flax plant in containers, you don’t really need to care much about pests, just keep an eye on cutworms, aphids, wireworms, and grasshopper, they may feed on your plant.   

 

Harvesting Flax plant

The Flax plant will be ready for harvest generally after thirty days of flowering. You can easily harvest it when the stalks are turning yellow, and the seed pods begin to swell and mature, ready to open. Generally, the Flax plant is ready for harvest in 100 days after seed sowing.