How to Plant Indian Blanket Flower Seeds
The Indian blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella), or fire wheel, is an annual flower that thrives in the central US from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada in USDA horticultural zones 5 through 10. It prefers sandy, well-drained soil, but is highly adaptable within its range. The daisy-shaped flowers are either solid red, yellow or orange or a combination of any of the three colors. The seed is planted in the fall in the south or as soon as the ground can be worked in the spring in its northern range. Indian blanket seeds germinate when soil temperature reaches 70 degrees F. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Locate an area in the garden or landscape that receives at least six hours of sun each day. Try to find an area that is flat so seeds can't wash away in a heavy rain.
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Remove all weeds and rake smooth.
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Mix garden soil with seeds in bucket or container. This helps the seeds have contact with soil once they are broadcast, and helps spread them evenly. There is no precise rule on how much seed or soil to mix in the container, but one shovelful of soil per quarter cup of seeds is a good rule of thumb. If only planting a few seeds, sprinkle them over the ground and cover very lightly with soil. Indian blanket seeds need light to germinate properly.
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Water over planting area to water seeds in well. Don't worry about extra watering unless the spring is unusually dry.
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Tips & Warnings
It can take four to six weeks for Indian blanket flower seeds to sprout. There is a perennial blanket flower (Gaillardia aristata) that grows under the same conditions as the annual type, but the flower is slightly smaller and mostly red. Planting instructions are the same. If you want a few individual plants in flower pots, start seeds by pressing seeds into damp potting soil. Indian blanket seedlings can withstand a light frost. Indian blanket flowers make long-lasting cut flowers. Cut in early morning after dew dries for best results. For complete coverage of large areas, seeding rates are 10 pounds per acre.
