How to Grow Corncockle from Seed

 

The botanical name of Corncockle is Agrostemma githago. The plant typically flowers in the summer. Corncockle is actually common in the United Kingdom.

 

Agrostemma Plant Info

Corncockle plants are medium sizes plants that can grow to between sixty and ninety centimeter in height. The Corncockle plants have very small trumpet shaped dark pink flowers. Agrostemma is actually an ideal plant for growing in borders and cottage gardens.

Actually, the Agrostemma genus consists of just 2 species and is a member of the Caryophyllaceae family. This family contains forty-two genera including Campions (Silene), Carnations (Dianthus) and sandworts (Stellaria). The genus actually originated in the Mediterranean region of Europe and is now widespread throughout the world.

However, most gardeners often use the Agrostemma in cottage and meadow gardens it is considered a weed of wheat fields (Corncockle is native to the UK, and the word Corn is used to describe wheat in England, Oats in Scotland, and Maize in the USA).

Some of the varieties of the 2 species of Agrostemma that are often grown in gardens include: Corn cockle (Agrostemma githago), varieties include Common, Purple Queen, Milas, Contessa Pale Pink, Milas Rose Queen, Narrow Corn Cockle (Agrostemma brachyloba) and Ocean pearl Cockle. 

 

Agrostemma Growing Guide

The common names: The common names are Narrow, Contessa Pale Pink, Milas, Purple Queen, Milas Rose Queen, Ocean pearl.

The life cycle: The plant is hardy annual.

The height: The height is about twenty to thirty-six inches

Native area: The plant is native to Mediterranean, Europe.

USDA: Zones one to ten.

The flowers: The plant flowers from mid-spring through to Mid-summer.

The flower details: The flower is pink, purple in color. They are cup/vase-shaped.

The foliage: Pale green.

Sowing outside: Sow them 1/8 inch (3 mm), following the last frost. Space them nine to twelve inches.

Sowing inside: The seed germination time is about 2 to 3 weeks. Temperature fifty-five to sixty-five degree Fahrenheit. 7 or 8 weeks in advance. Transplant them outdoors following the last frost or in autumn (in warm climates).

Plant requirements: The plant prefers full sunlight or partial shade. Good drainage. Loam. Deadheading.

 

How to Grow Corncockle

It is actually best to sow the Corncockle seeds at a depth of 1/4 cm, with a spacing of twenty-two to thirty centimeter, in early spring after the last frost as occurred. Corncockle actually prefers to grow in full sunlight. The soil for planting should ideally be a rich loam, though the plant is capable of surviving in most soils. The corncockle seeds requires between 2 or 3 weeks for germination to occur.

If initiating growth indoors then it is best to sow the corncockle seeds at a temperature of 13 to 18 degrees Centigrade 7or 8 weeks before planting outdoors in the early spring or late autumn in milder climates.

 

Corncockle Care

Agrostemma is very easy to take care of, the plant requires watering in dry spells during the summer, and also the removal of dead flower heads to stop seed set, and the plant from becoming a weed. Actually the seeds of the plant are very poisonous; make sure you handle them with care.