Packed in Resealable Long Life MylarMoisture Proof Packets10+ Year Survival Seed Viability Category: Flower Type: Bachelors Button Variety: Mixed Colors Family: Cornflowers Botanical Name: Centaurea cyanus Hardiness Zones: 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 Growing Difficulty: 1 Soil PH: 6.6 – 7.8 Fertilizer Requirements: Compost Soil Type: Well drained/Alkaline Germination (days): 7 – 14 Soil Temp for Germination: 60-70°F Lighting Conditions: Full Sun/Partial Days to Maturity: 85-90 Planting Depth: 1/2” Distance Apart (in row): 6-12” Row Spacing: 6-12” Sowing Instructions Full Sun After last frost Starting Indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost Growing Tips Cover seed with 1/2” soil and keep dark to germinate. Bachelors Button is pretty drought resistant and will self-care once started. Culinary Uses Bachelors has a sweet and spicy taste and is a natural food dye. They are mostly used as a garnish and are often used to add color to teas. Bachelors Buttons are also Great for decoration of cakes and other desserts. Medicinal Uses This unsuspecting little flower packs a great medicinal punch as well. Bachelors Button has a great anti-inflammatory property and are excellent when used as an oral rinsing agent as a tincture. They may help with sore and bleeding gums. It is believed that Bachelors Button can be used to help with UTI infections as well as detoxifying the liver. Not to mention, they are also a great remedy for occasional constipation and stomach ulcers. Harvest Crops Depending on your desired use of this beautiful plant, you may be harvesting the flowers, the stem, and leaves, or both. We recommend deadheading the plants to trick them into producing flowers until the cool weather comes. Simply remove the blooms as they start to wilt by using pruning shears, or simply plucking with your fingernails to snip the stems below the wilted flower. If you are harvesting the flower for medicinal purposes or to use as a garnish or natural food dye, use pruning shears or scissors to cut the freshly full bloomed flower head (not wilted). For medicinal purposes of harvesting the stem and leaves, first harvest your bloomed flower head and cut your stem down to no lower than 3 inches above the base. You may use this portion of the stem for a variety of medicinal salves and poultices. Harvesting Seeds Bind flowers that are brown and hang upside down over a bag or cloth. Dry completely for a few weeks. When they are crisp rub the base of each flower to release seeds. Store in airtight jars for next season.
