Cosmea, or cosmos, is a grassy one or perennial plant from the Astrov family, while the flower looks like an ordinary chamomile. It is widely distributed in horticulture for beautiful and long flowering from June to the end of October, and is also unpretentious for growing. Cosmea is easier to propagate by seed method, therefore it is important to consider when to plant cosmea when growing from seeds and how to take care of it in the future.
Popular types and varieties with photos
Cosmea comes from the tropics, so it is better to take root in a warm climate. The most common in our territory are two types:
- Twofold - annual with large flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, assembled in groups or blooming one by one. There are different colors: red, pink, purple, white. This plant with long erect stems up to 1.5 m high, decorated with heavily dissected cirrus leaves.
- Blood red - stands out with rich red buds 4-5 cm in size. Standing shoots are 90-100 cm tall. The flowers exude a pleasant chocolate aroma.
Based on them, many varieties and hybrids were obtained. Popular among our gardeners are:
- Cosmea-shell - inflorescences with a diameter of about 10-12 cm with petals fused into a tube. The observed color variation: red, snow-white, pink. Stems up to 1 m high.
- Sea shell - a specimen with reed petals and low shoots (30-35 cm). The buds of various colors are up to 13 cm across.
- Red yakhont - bushes 70-80 cm high with scarlet flowers with a diameter of 6-7 cm.
- Carousel - a meter-long plant with whitish petals of inflorescences bordered with pink.
- Cosmos is an annual representative up to 1.2 m high and with flowers of orange-yellow tone.
- Cosmic - stunted bushes no higher than 35 cm with lush flowers of varying color: yellow, red, orange.
Terry varieties include: Rose bonbon, Psyche, Snow-white marshmallows, Terry button.
Seed propagation
Despite the large and varied assortment of varieties, all of them are united by a single method of propagation - by seeds. You can plant them immediately in the open ground. If you want to get early flowering, it is recommended to grow cosmea through seedlings. Sowing is carried out in late March or early April. Favorable days according to the lunar calendar: March 15, 16, 21, 22 and April 6.
At this time of planting, the flowers bloom in early June.
Seed is sold in flower shops. If such flowers already grow on the site, then it is easy to collect the seeds yourself. Do it in the fall after flowering is complete. They retain good germination for 3 years.
For cosmei, the landing site matters. The site should be well lit. The soil is preferably fertile, loose and fresh. High content of organic fertilizers and sand is welcome. It is recommended to dilute heavy soil with sheet compost.
Growing seedlings: step by step instructions
Tanks for landing will fit any, but with drainage holes at the bottom. It’s not necessary to take too deep. If you do not need a lot of seedlings, it is preferable to choose small pots or cups designed for a maximum of two seeds. The substrate can be purchased for seedlings or self-made. To do this, mix loose and light earthy compositions of medium nutritional value.
Cosmea seed sowing technology:
- Fill the containers with a substrate and moisten from a spray bottle. It is undesirable to seal.
- Seeds are evenly distributed from above, adhering to an indent of 10 cm (if the boxes are large). Then press lightly.
- Spray with water from a spray bottle.
- Cover with glass or stretch the film.
- Put seedlings in a bright place.
Cosmea grows worse in heat, therefore the optimum temperature is from 14 to 18° C.
As soon as 2-3 leaves appear, they begin to pick. This is subject to germination in large-scale containers.
If the seedlings grow in separate pots, then the procedure is not required. If it is not planned to preserve all planted material, then cost thinning: weakened sprouts are pulled out and only strong ones are left. In case of intensive seedling growth, it is recommended to pinch the tops, which will contribute to lateral branching. Additionally organize backlight.
2-3 weeks before transplanting into the garden, they begin to harden seedlings: they take it out daily for 1-2 hours to fresh air.
Landing and maintenance
A transplant is carried out when the weather is stable and the weather passes and the risk of night frosts passes. This usually happens in late May. Seedlings are planted indented from 15 to 30 cm. In close proximity, flowers begin to stretch intensively in height and bloom worse. Since the plant is hardy and is not afraid of transplantation, you can not be afraid to damage the roots.
Cosmea is surprisingly drought-resistant, but at an early age it needs special moisture. Therefore, the first time you need to water it regularly, preventing the drying of the upper soil layer. Humidity is especially monitored in anticipation and during flowering. Thus, it is possible to stretch this colorful period.
Feeding during the growing season is optional. Professional flower growers are advised to feed plantings at the budding stage, using mineral compounds with a minimum nitrogen content, otherwise there will be a lot of greenery at the expense of flowering. Repeat this procedure several times during the summer. Tall Kosmey need to be tied to a vertical support. The first flowers are best removed immediately, so that subsequent blooms are more plentiful and longer.
To obtain seeds, several of the largest buds are left.
Due to the high adaptive ability, the cosmea is rarely sick and affected by insects. If any problems arise during cultivation, then they are mainly associated with improper care or adverse weather conditions.
The diversity of available varieties of cosmea allows you to choose the option to taste. Flowers are everywhere used in the design of personal plots. Despite their simplicity, they look advantageous both separately and in compositions. Cosmei is made in the form of beds or as a background of a flower garden or hedge.
