With their almost gentian blue flowers you can see them shining from a distance. But not everyone is impressed by her and enjoys the sight of her. Some farmers are annoyed by their appearance
Why is cornflower considered a weed?
The cornflower is considered a weed because it grows in grain fields and competes with the growth of grain. Farmers often combat them with herbicides and nitrogen fertilizers. Nevertheless, the cornflower is also a valuable medicinal herb and food source for bees.
Is cornflower considered a weed?
For a long time the cornflower was consideredweed and even today it is downright frowned upon by farmers. It occurs primarily in grain fields and really stands out among the grain with its striking flower color. As a so-called field weed, the cornflower was fought against for many decades. For this purpose, fertilizers with a high nitrogen content were specifically used, as cornflowers then grow more poorly. In addition, the use of herbicides was considered common and displaced Centaurea cyanus.
Why is the cornflower a thorn in the side of some farmers?
The cornflower becomes thecompetitorof the grain. The plants grow quickly, making it difficult for the grain to thrive. In addition, the seeds ripen at about the same time as the grain. They are then threshed during the harvest and the harvested seeds become contaminated. In addition, a cornflower can develop up to 900 seeds. These remain viable for 5 to 10 years and sow themselves.
How to get rid of cornflower?
By usingherbicidesand high fertilization withnitrogen, cornflowers can be displaced and eradicated. If you want to fight them, it is best to do so in the fall. Overall, however, it can take several years until the growth is completely eliminated. For the sake of the environment, we strongly recommend using natural preparations!
Why is the cornflower now protected?
The cornflower is now under protection because it was almostextinct. The farmers' rigorous control caused increasing damage to the cornflower, even though it is considered very adaptable to the location, and it hardly ever appeared anymore.
To what extent is the cornflower a bioindicator?
The cornflower is considered a bioindicator because it shows how heavilyfields have been fertilized. It does not like a high nitrogen content in the soil and therefore grows poorly or not at all if the soil is over-fertilized. So if cornflowers grow on or in fields, this is an indication that there has not been over-fertilization.
What contribution does the cornflower make to nature?
Another advantage of cornflowers is that they provide bees with plenty offood. Its flowers, which appear between June and October, produce a large amount of nectar and also pollen. Cornflowers are therefore of immeasurable value to the bee world.
Is the cornflower an unjustly criticized weed?
The cornflower iswronglydecried as just a weed because it can be used as a medicinal herb. Its flowers and leaves are not poisonous but are edible. They taste slightly bitter. The bitter substances help, among other things, with digestive problems, colds, inflammation of the mouth and skin diseases.
Tip
Recognize the benefit instead of the disadvantage
Cornflowers are considered weeds. But their value for bees is enormous. Since the plants produce their flowers within a few weeks, they are considered a quick way to provide starving bees with a food source. So sow the seeds directly into the bed sometime between March and July and help nature.
