Black Ball

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Velvety, inky-black blooms with a softly domed, cornflower silhouette bring a dramatic, midnight note to the garden—yet they open with a gentle, floral fragrance and a crisp, petal texture.

Black Ball forms sturdy, upright stems that hold their color beautifully from bud through full bloom, making it a standout for fresh bouquets and long-lasting dried arrangements. Grow it for a bold, ornamental splash that turns summer borders into a living gallery of deep, velour-like color.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Direct Sow
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	Apr 25th
Harvest Begins	Jul 4th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Surface
Germination Temp (°F)	60
Min Soil Temp (°F)	50
Min Night Temp (°F)	35
Harden Off (days)	Not Required

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

These cornflower petals are built for clean, bright plates: the crunch stays present and the fragrance stays delicate rather than muddy. Use them where the color and petal texture can speak—finished, not cooked hard.

Best Uses

as a high-contrast garnish on citrusy salads
floating on chilled drinks and spritzers for a petal snap
folded into rice or grain bowls right at the end for texture
dried petals for subtle floral decoration on plated desserts

Flavor Profile

velvety, crisp petals with a light floral perfume cool, subtly sweet note with a faint herbal edge inky-black visual intensity that doesn’t translate into heavy bitterness

Kitchen Pairings

lemon goat cheese basil honey champagne vinaigrette duck

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I prevent and treat powdery mildew on Black Ball (near-spherical) squash or melon plants?

Start with good airflow: space plants so leaves don’t stay wet, and avoid overhead watering. If you see the white, dusty mildew on Black Ball leaves, spray in the first outbreak with a labeled powdery mildew fungicide and remove the most affected leaves to slow spread. Keep treating as directed until new growth is clean, since mild early infections can quickly take over in humid weather.

During the main growing phase, how often should I water Black Ball to keep the soil right?

Water deeply so the root zone is evenly moist, typically about 1 inch per week total from rain plus irrigation during active growth. In hot spells, check soil 1–2 inches down; if it’s dry at that depth, water again, but don’t keep the soil constantly wet. Consistent moisture helps Black Ball develop properly and reduces issues like fruit cracking or poor set.

How can I tell when Black Ball is ready to harvest at around 70 days?

Harvest when the fruit surface color matches the variety and the skin feels fully developed and firm, not rubbery. The stem should start to dry and the fruit should detach with minimal effort; if you have to yank, it’s usually not ready. For best flavor, pick when fruits are mature but before they soften—Black Ball can lose quality if left too long after maturity.