How to Plant Scabiosa Seeds
Scabiosa, or more commonly referred to as pincushion flower, is an annual in colder regions and a perennial in more moderate regions. The name pincushion flower refers to the flower's stamens, which look like small quilting pins stuck in a pincushion. Scabiosa have slender leaves, with long stems and can grow to heights of 2 to 3 feet. They come in colors such as white, pink, wine, yellow and lavender. Purchase seeds and decide how you want to plant them--using peat pots, in individual pots or directly into the ground after any chance of frost has passed. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Shovel or trowel
- Rake
- Slug and snail bait
- Beer
- Shallow tins, or bowls
- Gardening stakes
- Gardener tape or wire
- Peat pots, planting tray or individual pots
- Potting mix
Instructions
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Planting Scabiosa in the Ground
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1
Find a sunny location to plant your scabiosa seeds; these flowers need a lot of sun.
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2
Turn over the soil with a shovel and then rake the turned soil so it is level.
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3
Place three to four seeds about 10 to 12 inches apart in rows that are approximately 1 foot apart. Cover the seeds gently with about 5/8 inch of fine soil.
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4
Water the area well with a fine mist so you don't disturb the seeds. Keep the area well watered in this same manner. Seedlings will appear in about 10 to 14 days.
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5
Place slug and snail bait around your seedlings, if these pests have made a home in your garden. You can also place beer in shallow bowls and set the bowls around your seedlings. The beer attracts the snails and slugs, and they will drown in the liquid.
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6
Use garden stakes to give your scabiosa support once they reach about 2 feet high. A 4-foot section of garden stake works well. Push the stake firmly into the ground, then use gardener tape or wire around the scabiosa and the stake.
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7
Water your scabiosa once weekly during summer once it has established itself. Let the water run slowly on each plant to ensure it reaches the roots.
Planting in Pots
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8
Fill the planting receptacles 3/4 of the way with sterilized seed-starting potting mix. Water the pots, making sure the soil is well watered, and set aside to drain.
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9
Place a few scabiosa seeds into each pot and cover with about 5/8 inch of the seed-starting mix. Place the pots with the scabiosa seeds in an area that contains both light and warmth. Check the seeds every day; keep soil moist but not soggy.
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10
Plant the scabiosa outside in the ground once the seedlings have reached about 3 to 4 inches in height, and there is no danger of frost.
Transplanting Outdoors
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11
Dig holes that are about twice the size of your planting receptacle.
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12
Remove the seedlings from the pots by placing two fingers at the base of the seedling and gently tapping the rim of the pot until the pot starts to slide off. Set the pot aside. Peat pots can be planted straight into the holes you've dug; there is no need to remove the peat. For planting trays, place one finger at the bottom of the tray and gently push up until the plant is easily removed.
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13
Place the scabiosa seedling into the hole, making sure not to place the seedling too deep. The seedling should be planted level with the base of the stem.
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14
Place dirt carefully around the scabiosa seedling. Remove any potential air pockets by firming the soil around the seedling. Once you have all your seedlings planted, water them thoroughly. Don't drench the plants with water, or you can damage the tender seedlings. (To care and maintain your scabiosa flowers, proceed from Step 4 in the section titled Planting Scabiosa in the Ground.)
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