Seeds - Flax, Blue OG (T)
$4.59
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Description: Flax is a historically significant crop dating back to ancient times, in particular as the source of fibres to make everything from clothing to ships' sails. These days, many home gardeners love growing flax in the garden or large pots as it flowers easily from seed in its first year and yields an eye-catching and evocative shimmer of blue flowers. Each bloom only last a day... but is quickly replaced by many more each day!
Home gardeners can definitely harvest the seeds, which are well know as a healthy source of omega-3's and are easily incorporated into salads, snacks and even smoothies.
Pack Size: 200 seeds
Latin Name: Linum lewisii
Alternative Names: Linen (fibre) and linseed (when grown for the oil)
Main Uses: Culinary, nutraceutical, fibre and ornamental
Zone Hardiness: Reseeding annual / zone 5+ perennial
Exposure: Full sun
Height: 30 - 60 cm (12 - 24 inches)
Flower Color: Blue
Flowering Time: early summer into fall
Certified Organic: Ecocert Canada
Germination: 7 - 14 days at 18 C
Sowing Indoors: Start 4-6 weeks before the last frost, in large plug cells or small biodegradable pots. Provide warmth and bright light. For best results, apply Sea Magic™ kelp from the first watering. Apply a seedling-starter fertilizer such as Evolve Seedling once the second set of true leaves has appeared, and then alternate between the kelp and seedling starter until transplant. Sow 5-7 seeds per cell or stater pot.
Sowing Outdoors: Plant into prepared garden beds or large containers once soil is easily workable but up to 10 days before your regional last frost date. Sow clusters of 5-7 seeds every 30 cm (12").
Planting depth: Scatter seeds on the surface of the soil, firmly into the soil medium. Seeds will require light to germinate so do not cover them with soil.
Spacing: Space transplants approximately 30 cm (12") apart.
Planting out: Plant in well-drained, fertile soil once seedlings have well-developed roots, the soil has warmed, and all chance of frost is past. Prefers full sun to partial shade. Ideal for containers or indoor pots. (If you grew savory in the past year look for 'volunteers' in the spring).
Harvesting: Harvest using sharp scissors. Plants can be harvested anytime through the growing season, including at the onset of flowering.
Growing in Containers: Very well suited for large containers, 30 cm (12") and up.
Fertilizing (Containers): Add 25% Sea Soil to potting mix at the time of transplant, then fertilize with balanced organic fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season.
Watering (Containers): Water deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Check every day or two during very hot weather.
Growing in Mixed Planters: Grows best on its own.
Fertilizing (Garden): Plant in a garden bed recently amended with quality compost. No additional fertilizing is required.
Watering (Garden): Water daily for the first two weeks post-transplanting. Check on plants during hot weather, and water if the soil is very dry or plants are wilted.
Suitability for Indoors: Not well suited for indoors.
What about Grow Lights? Full spectrum grow lights make it possible to grow flax indoors, but this is not a particularly indoor-friendly selection.
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