Quantity 20 seeds

Germination approx. 14 days at 20ºC

Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius)

Syn: safflower, oil thistle, Dyer's safflower and fake saffron, hong-hua (TCM)
 
Safflower was already used 3500 BC to dye fabrics and other.
From the petals can be obtained dyes, the carthamin of red color and the dye of yellow flower carthida.
In cooking, petals are also used for coloring food (fake saffron). These are also used as tea and medicinal herbs in China.
Today, however, it is more common for safflower to be grown for oil extraction from seeds, and press residues are used as livestock feed.
 
Flower color: orange-yellow

Flowering period: July to August, depending on location
Bee grass: yes

Winter hardiness: no, annual

Propagation: Seeds in spring

Soil requirements: rather dry and sandy.