Balloon Flowers are easy-to-grow from flower seed. They are an old-fashioned favorite, and they are as lovely in the garden or along borders as they are in the vase. This flower has unique star-shaped blue blossoms, and it blooms late summer and into the fall.

Sow Balloon Flower Seed indoors 6 - 8 weeks before last frost. They can also be sown directly outdoors after last frost.

Balloon Flowers can be planted in full sun to partial shade in well drained soils.

• Suraface sow 4 seeds per cell starting mix or per plant outdoors, and press onto soil (Do not cover) as seeds need light to germinate.
• If planting direclty outdoors, space each planting 10 inches apart.
• Keep the soil moist until germination.
• Germination should occur in 14 - 21 days.
• As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
• Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
• Transplant hardened-off seedlings 10 inches apart in the garden after all danger of frost.

• Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
• Mulches help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.
• Keep plants moist but not wet during the growing season, especially during dry spells. Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. For Tuberous begonias try not to wet the leaves and flowers. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.
• Feed them an all-purpose and slow-release fertilizer in early spring.
• Add layer of compost in fall.
• Balloon Flower does not require regular pruning. However, if you want to maintain your its best-looking shape, you can halve the tall stems’ length. This will encourage growth and prevent plant from flopping over. You can also remove the spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Make sure you do not take out the entire stem, as the remaining flower buds will keep opening.