Dyer's safflower seeds or false saffron

Dyer's safflower or false saffron seeds (Carthamus tinctorius) 50 seeds

Brief description: Dyer's safflower is a pretty, branching annual that can reach 1 m in height. Its leaves are hairless, sheathing, alternate, and lanceolate, with a dark green color. Its orange-yellow flower heads appear between April and July.

Propagation: In cold regions, sow safflower seeds indoors, one month before the last frost. Otherwise, sow the seeds directly in the ground after the risk of frost has passed. Allow 3-4 months between sowing and harvesting the flowers.

Cultivation: Leave 20 cm between each plant. Safflower thrives in sunny locations and even tolerates a little salt. It is therefore a valuable ornamental plant on the coast.
The plant does not tolerate humidity well; it is not uncommon for the seeds to start germinating on the plant.

Dyeing use: With safflower flowers (pistils), one can obtain vegetable dyes in shades of yellow, orange, red for fabrics.

Food use: The seeds (shiny white) can provide an edible oil, similar to sunflower oil in color and richness in polyunsaturated acids, and used in cosmetics.

Other uses: This plant is also suitable for making dried bouquets.

Open-pollinated seeds harvested exclusively from the Pot'à'Jo garden, a 1500m² market garden combining horticulture and permaculture. Everything is cultivated there with deep respect for nature and its inhabitants. I have been cultivating my own seeds, from seed to seed, for years.