How to Plant a Purple Cornflower Seed

• 1

  Scoop soilless seed-starting mix into planting packs until each cell is filled to within 3/4 inch from the top of the rim. Do this about three to four weeks before the last spring frost date in your growing region.

• 2

  Pack the seed-starting mix until it is firmly set in the cells. Do this using a small metal spoon or your fingers.

• 3

  Plant two to three purple cornflower seeds into each of the cells in the planting packs.

• 4

  Sprinkle 1/2 inch of seed raising mix over each of the seeds in the cells. Cover each of the planting packs with a layer of clear plastic wrap to increase germination time.

• 5

  Place the planting packs where they will receive a good source of indirect light, ideally between eight and 10 hours daily. Mist the surface of the seed raising mix as often as required in order to keep the mix moist, but not dripping wet. Germination of purple cornflower seeds will begin in approximately seven to 10 days.

• 6

  Thin out all but the most hardy looking purple cornflower seedling in each of the cells once they have a pair of leaves. Use a pair of scissors to snip the seedlings off at the base of their stems at soil level.

• 7

  Transplant the purple cornflowers out into your garden before they grow to 4 inches tall, as suggested by the National Gardening Bureau.

Transplanting Purple Cornflowers

• 8

  Dig up the planting are down to a depth of between 6 and 8 inches to mix in a 1-inch layer of organic matter. Use aged manure, leaf mold, compost or any other similar material.

• 9

  Dig planting holes for the purple cornflowers spaced at 12 to 14 inches apart. Each hole should be the same depth and width as a cell in the planting pack.

• 10

  Pop out a purple cornflower seedling from a cell in a planting pack using your index finger and thumb.

• 11

  Plant one purple cornflower seedling into a previously created planting hole. Hold the seedling vertical in the planting hole. Scoop in garden soil around the seedling.

• 12

  Firm the soil down around the seedling using your fingers.

• 13

  Fertilize the purple cornflower seedlings using a starter fertilizer made for flowers, such as 16-32-16. Rates vary by manufacturer. Read the directions specified on the label; only dilute by one-half strength.