How to grow Globe Thistle

Echinops ritro

Is a good choice of plant for xeriscaping, or for a garden that gets medium amounts of water.
Echinops grows is poor, well drained soil and enjoys a hot position.
Requires little care but may need support if particularly tall or in windy position.

Echinops can be propagated from root cuttings taken in the dormant season.

Growing Globe thistle from seed

Sow in spring in pots of gritty compost covered with a light layer of vermiculite.
Place in a cold frame, germination on 14 to 21 days
Pot on when large enough to handle and plant out in flowering position, in late summer early autumn

Soil temperature should be kept higher than 17°C / 63°F to ensure good germination.

Transplanting Globe thistle

Choose a sunny site with well drained soil
May need support later in the season as the flower stalk grows

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Globe thistle is a very hardy plant.

Harvesting Globe thistle

Flowers last well in a vase or they can be picked and dried

Seed Saving Globe thistle

Varieties of echinops can be grown from seed. Collect into a paper bag on a dry sunny day and store in a cool dry place

How long does Globe thistle take to grow?

These estimates for how long Globe thistle takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Globe thistle to germinate?
21 days

Average 21 days | Min 47 days | Max 57 days (2)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Globe thistle?
+ 144 days

Average 144 days | Min 144 days | Max 144 days (1)

Days to Maturity How long until Globe thistle is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ days

Average days | Min days | Max days (0)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Globe thistle?
= days

Other names for Globe thistle

Small globe thistle, Common globe thistle, Blue globe thistle

Echinops bannaticus, Echinops exaltatus

Footnotes


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