Species Common Corncockle

Common Corncockle

Agrostemma githago

Common Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) is an annual herbaceous plant that grows 10-80 cm tall. It has a branching stem with a thick covering of tiny hairs. Its flowers are pink to purple, star-shaped and occurring in clusters towards the top of the stem. The fruit, a long slender pod, contains several seeds with a hard seed coat, which gives the species its alternative name: knawel. It thrives in disturbed soil and is often found on roadsides, waste ground and arable fields near the coast. It is also an important food source for various species of wildlife. Collecting and cultivating Common Corncockle is possible, providing a beautiful flower for your garden.

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun,part sun/part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Corncockles prefer a well-drained soil, so water when the top 10 cm of soil has dried out. The plant prefers moderate watering, so water should not be too frequent. Growing in warm and dry climates, water once a week in the summer and twice a month during the wintertime. Water thoroughly to ensure the roots get enough. Be sure not to overwater the plant as this may cause root rot and disease. Generally, each corncockle should get about 10 cm of water per week.

sunlight

For proper growth and development of the Common Corncockle (Agrostemma githago) it is important to ensure that the plant is getting enough sunlight. These plants should receive a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight each day. An optimum amount of sunlight would be 8-10 hours of direct sunlight per day. The time of day when the plant is receiving sunlight does not matter, as long as it is receiving the correct amount. In areas with high temperatures or intense sunlight, it is important to provide some shade for the plant, as too much sun can cause the leaves to burn.

pruning

Pruning for Common Corncockle should be done between late winter and early spring, which is when the growth begins. Pruning should be done to remove all the dead stems, leaves, and any spent flower heads. This will help the plant to promote new growth. Pruning should be done with small, sharp flush-cut pruners and done by snipping the stem off at the base. Prune back only a few inches at a time. If the plant is severely overgrown, prune more deeply, but in small increments. Pruning too much at once can damage the plant and cause it to suffer shock.