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Adaptation
Safflower is a thistle-like plant with a strong central branch stem, a varying number of branches and a tap-root system. Each branch will usually have from one to five flower heads containing 15 to 20 seeds per head. The seed oil content ranges for 30-45 percent. Flower color is usually yellow or orange, although some varieties have red or white flowers. Plant height in North Dakota varies between 15 and 30 inches depending on environmental conditions. The taproot of safflower can penetrate to depths of 8 to 10 feet if subsoil temperature and moisture permit. As a result, safflower is more tolerant to drought than small grains.
Safflower is typically sown in April or early May. Seedlings generally emerge in one to three weeks. Early seedling growth and development is slow. A young plant spends two to three weeks in the "rosette" stage while growing leaves. Temperatures as low as 20 degrees are tolerated by safflower while in the rosette stage. Safflower is very susceptible to frost injury from stem elongation to maturity.
Plants begin forming floral buds in late June and flower in mid-July. The bloom stage usually lasts 14 to 21 days, depending on stand density, available moisture and variety. The crop usually matures about four weeks after flowering ends. In North Dakota, safflower normally requires from 110 to 140 days from seeding to maturity.
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