Kosmeya, or cosmos, is a herbaceous one or perennial plant from the Astrov family, while the flower looks like an ordinary chamomile. It is widespread in horticulture for its beautiful and long flowering period from June to the end of October, and is also famous for its unpretentious cultivation. Cosmey is easier to propagate by seed, therefore it is important to take into account when to plant cosmea when growing from seeds and how to take care of it in the future.
Popular species and varieties with photos
Kosmeya comes from the tropics, so it takes root better in warm climates. The most common in our territory are two types:
- Double-feathery โ an annual with large flowers up to 10 cm in diameter, collected in groups or blooming singly. There are different colors: red, pink, purple, white. This is a plant with long erect stems up to 1,5 m high, decorated with strongly dissected feathery leaves.
- Blood red โ stands out with deep red buds 4โ5 cm in size. Erect shoots 90โ100 cm in height. Flowers exude a pleasant chocolate aroma.
On their basis, many varieties and hybrids were obtained. The following are popular with our gardeners:
Terry varieties include: Rose Bonbon, Psyche, Snow White Marshmallow, Terry Button.
Reproduction from seeds
Despite the large and varied assortment of varieties, all of them are united by a single method of reproduction โ by seedsโฆ They can be planted directly in open ground. If you want to get early flowering, it is recommended to grow kosmeya through seedlings. Sowing is carried out in late March or early April. Auspicious days according to the lunar calendar: March 15, 16, 21, 22 and April 6.
With this planting time, flowers bloom in early June.
Seed material is sold in florist shops. If such flowers are already growing on the site, then it is easy to collect the seeds yourself. This is done in the fall after flowering is complete. They retain good germination for 3 years.
For the cosmos, the landing site matters. The site must be well lit. The soil is preferable fertile, loose and fresh. A high content of organic fertilizers and sand is encouraged. It is recommended to dilute heavy soil with sheet compost.
Growing seedlings: step by step instructions
Any planting container will do, but with drainage holes at the bottom. It is not necessary to take too deep. If you do not need a lot of seedlings, then it is preferable to choose small pots or cups designed for a maximum of two seeds. The substrate can be purchased for seedlings or made independently. For this, loose and light earthy compositions of medium nutritional value are mixed.
Sowing technology of seeds of cosmos:
- The containers are filled with a substrate and moistened from a spray bottle. It is undesirable to seal.
- The seeds are evenly distributed from above, adhering to an indent of 10 cm (if the boxes are large). Then it is pressed lightly.
- Spray with water from a spray bottle.
- Cover with glass or stretch the film.
- Seedlings are placed in a bright place.
In the warmth, the kosmeya germinates worse, so the optimal temperature is from 14 to 18ยฐ C.
As soon as 2-3 leaves appear, they start picking. This is subject to germination in a large-scale container.
If the seedlings grow in separate pots, then the procedure is not required. If it is not planned to preserve all the planted material, then thinning is done: they pull out the weakened shoots and leave only the strong ones. In case of intensive growth of seedlings, it is recommended to pinch the tops, which will contribute to lateral branching. Additionally, they organize the backlight.
2-3 weeks before transplanting into the garden, the seedlings begin to harden: they are taken out daily for 1-2 hours to fresh air.
Planting in open ground and further care
The transplant is carried out when the weather is stable outside and the risk of night frosts passes. This usually happens at the end of May. Seedlings are planted with an indentation of 15 to 30 cm. In close proximity, the flowers begin to stretch intensively in height and bloom worse. Since the plant is hardy and is not afraid of transplanting, you can not be afraid to damage the roots.
Kosmeya is surprisingly drought-resistant, but at an early age it especially needs abundant moisture. Therefore, the first time it needs to be watered regularly, preventing the upper soil layer from drying out. Especially watch out for humidity on the eve of and during flowering. Thus, it is possible to stretch this colorful period.
Fertilizing during the growing season is optional. Professional florists advise feeding the plantings at the budding stage, using mineral formulations with a minimum nitrogen content, otherwise there will be a lot of greenery to the detriment of flowering. This procedure is repeated several times over the summer. A tall cosmea must be tied to a vertical support. It is better to remove the first flowers immediately so that the subsequent ones bloom more abundantly and longer.
To obtain seeds, several of the largest buds are left.
Due to its high adaptive ability, kosmeya rarely gets sick and is affected by insects. If any problems arise during cultivation, then they are mainly associated with improper care or unfavorable weather conditions.
The diversity of the available varieties of cosmeas allows you to choose an option to taste. Flowers are used everywhere in the design of personal plots. Despite their simplicity, they look advantageous both in isolation and in compositions. Cosmos are made out in the form of beds or as a background for a flower garden or hedge.
