FLS003 Scabiosa atropurpurea Seed (200 seeds/bag)

       Seeds of Scabiosa atropurpurea, with 200 seeds in each pack. The seeds are small, oval - shaped, dark brown in color, with a slightly rough texture on the surface. Scabiosa atropurpurea, also known as pincushion flower, is an annual herbaceous flower. The plant height is usually between 30 - 60 centimeters, with erect and slender stems. The leaves are pinnately divided, and the lobes are long and linear, arranged alternately on the stems. The flowers are extremely unique, in the form of a capitulum, growing densely at the top of the stem. The central part of the flower is dark purple, like a purple "pillow", which is why it is named "Purple Pillow Flower". The edge of the flower is surrounded by a circle of light purple or white ligulate petals. The color combination is very harmonious and has great ornamental value. Scabiosa atropurpurea is often used in garden landscape layout, such as creating flower beds and flower borders, which can create a romantic and layered visual effect. It can also be used as cut flowers for indoor decoration, adding natural beauty to the space.

1. Soil preparation: Select loose, fertile, well - drained soil with a pH value between 6.0 - 7.0. You can mix leaf mold, garden soil, and perlite in a ratio of 3:2:1 evenly and put it into a seed - raising pot or planting container. Before filling the soil, lay a layer of broken tiles or ceramsite at the bottom of the container to enhance drainage performance. Then water it thoroughly to make the soil in a moist but not waterlogged state.

2. Seed treatment: No special treatment is required. To improve the germination rate, soak the seeds in warm water for 3 - 4 hours to allow the seeds to absorb enough water. After soaking, take out the seeds and dry the surface moisture with a paper towel.

3. Sowing operation: Since the seeds are small, mix the seeds evenly with an appropriate amount of fine sand and then evenly sprinkle them on the soil surface. Try to make the seeds evenly distributed, keeping the seed spacing at about 1 - 2 cm to avoid overcrowding. After sowing, cover a thin layer of soil about 0.3 - 0.5 cm thick, and then gently compact the soil to make the seeds closely contact the soil.

4. Moisture and light preservation: After sowing, use a sprayer to gently spray water to keep the soil moist. Cover a layer of plastic film or plastic wrap on the seed - raising pot or planting container to maintain humidity and temperature. Place it in a brightly lit place but avoid direct sunlight. The suitable germination temperature is 18 - 22℃. Open the film for ventilation for 1 - 2 hours every day to prevent the seeds from mildewing due to excessive humidity.

5. Management after emergence: Generally, the seeds begin to emerge about 5 - 7 days after sowing. After emergence, remove the covered film in time and gradually increase the light duration, but avoid direct strong light to prevent burning the seedlings. Keep the soil moist, following the principle of "watering when the soil is dry". That is, when the soil surface is dry 2 - 3 cm, water it, and water thoroughly each time. When the seedlings have 2 - 3 true leaves, thin out the seedlings, remove the weak and over - dense seedlings, and keep the strong seedlings to provide sufficient growth space for them. When the seedlings have 4 - 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted into a larger flowerpot or planting area. Try to transplant with soil clumps to protect the roots of the seedlings.

a. Temperature requirements: The germination of Scabiosa atropurpurea seeds and the growth of seedlings are relatively sensitive to temperature. If the temperature is too low, the seeds germinate slowly or do not germinate at all; if the temperature is too high, the seedlings are prone to spindly growth and weakness. When sowing in early spring or late autumn, take heat - preservation measures, such as covering with plastic film; in high - temperature summer, pay attention to shading and cooling to avoid the excessive temperature from affecting seed germination and seedling growth.

b. Light management: This flower needs sufficient light for photosynthesis, but in the initial stage of seed germination and the seedling stage, too strong direct light will damage the seedlings. After emergence, gradually increase the light duration, but in the high - temperature period of summer, especially at noon, appropriate shading is required to avoid direct strong light. As the plant grows, the light intensity can be gradually increased to promote the robust growth and flower bud differentiation of the plant.

c. Water control: From sowing to emergence, keep the soil moist, but there should be no waterlogging, otherwise the seeds are easy to rot. After emergence, water the plants reasonably according to the dry - wet condition of the soil. Avoid over - watering, which may cause root hypoxia and rot, and also prevent the soil from being too dry, which will affect the growth of the plants. Generally, water when the soil surface is dry 2 - 3 cm, and water thoroughly.

d. Fertilization points: In the initial stage of Scabiosa atropurpurea seedling growth, a small amount of thin nitrogen fertilizer can be applied appropriately to promote the growth of the plant's stems and leaves. When the plant grows to a certain stage and enters the vigorous growth period, the application amount of phosphorus - potassium fertilizer, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, should be increased to promote the branching of the plant and flower bud differentiation, and improve the flower quality. When fertilizing, pay attention to applying thin fertilizers frequently to avoid burning the roots with concentrated fertilizers.

e. Pest and disease control: Common pests and diseases of Scabiosa atropurpurea include powdery mildew, leaf spot, aphids, thrips, etc. Keep the planting environment well - ventilated, regularly clean up diseased leaves and plants, and reduce the breeding environment of pests and diseases. Regularly check the plants. Once pests and diseases are found, take corresponding control measures in a timely manner. For powdery mildew and leaf spot, fungicides such as carbendazim and chlorothalonil can be used for spray control; for aphids and thrips, insecticides such as imidacloprid and acetamiprid can be used for control.