We grow cockerel flowers in our summer cottage. Scallop flowers - a bright decoration for a flower bed What a scallop flower looks like

These flowers were classified by botanists as belonging to the Chenopodiaceae family, but recently they began to be assigned to the Amaranthaceae family. Translated from Greek, "celosia" is translated as "flaming", which corresponds to the appearance and color of the inflorescences. They really look like flames of different colors.

Under natural conditions, celosia grows in countries with hot climates - on the African and American continents, in the warm regions of Asia. More than 50 species of this flowering plant are found in nature, but only a few varieties are grown in garden plots.

This flower is actively used by landscape designers when decorating flower beds and edgings. Low-growing varieties are perfect for decorating balconies and winter verandas. Thanks to their bright colors, these flowers look great both in single plantings and in combination with many flowering plants.

How to use in garden decoration

Thanks to the varied colors of the inflorescences, celosia is a self-sufficient plant, so it alone is enough to decorate a flower garden. But it is also good in combination with almost all annuals.

When decorating a garden plot with these bright flowers, you should remember that you need a sense of proportion in everything, so celosia is not planted in large quantities in a flower bed. It is advisable to plant plants nearby that are calmer in color and match their colors. You can plant these bright flowers in rectangular pots, create borders, or plant them along garden or park paths.

There are many ideas for decorating garden plots with these plants; growing different varieties of celosia in the garden depends on the imagination of the owners.

Celosia is actively used by landscape designers when decorating flower beds and ridges.

Gallery: celosia (25 photos)

Rules for combination with other plants

The basic rules for growing celosia next to other flowers are as follows:

• the comb variety is balanced by plants with dim colors and flowers of different shapes;
• bright celosia flowers usually look better next to calmer flowers in color;
• celosia paniculata with yellow and orange inflorescences looks good next to the blue and purple flowers of ageratum;
• An excellent neighbor for this bright flower will be the bicolor ragwort;
• any annual (or perennial) white flowers - for example, labelia - are a wonderful background for red celosia inflorescences of different varieties;
• The red tones of this representative of the Chenopodiaceae family look great in combination with decorative varieties of cereals. Just don’t forget that if the plants growing nearby in a flowerbed require different care, then you will need to care for each plant as it should.

Celosia from seeds: planting method (video)

Description of celosia species

In park areas and squares, in garden plots, only a few varieties of this bright flowering plant are cultivated. But even these few species can give the flowerbed an inexplicable charm and add a bright note to the landscape of the site.

Celosia spicata (Hutton's)

It is a pity that this plant is deprived of the attention of flower growers. Small flowers are collected in spikelets of almost all colors of the rainbow. Celosia spicata looks great in flower beds in combination with other flowering plants, is also well suited for single plantings - and it is better to plant celosia flowers of different colors nearby.

Celosia spicata (Hutton's)

Celosia paniculata (pinnate)

Celosia silvery pinnate is distinguished by its inflorescences, which are magnificent in appearance. These flowers are tall (up to 1 m in height), The color scheme of different parts of the flower is varied in color.

Celosia paniculata (pinnate)

Celosia silvery comb (cockscomb)

The appearance of the inflorescences is similar to a cockscomb celosia (as flower growers sometimes call it). The plant is low (up to 30 – 35 cm in height). The flowers are small, collected in comb-shaped inflorescences, the color is yellow, orange, red, purple, pink. The first flowers appear in the first ten days of July and continue almost until the cold weather - until the first ten days of October. This type includes low varieties Empress (with dark leaf color) and Coral Garden. Their height is about 35 cm, and the inflorescences - scallops - look great against the background of neighboring plants. But the dwarf variety Kimono looks great on the winter veranda, on the loggia. Its inflorescence combs are also small in size, but very bright.

Celosia silvery comb (cockscomb)

Celosia planting technology

Young plants of this species are planted in the usual way for all flowers. When planting, you should handle the seedlings carefully - they are very delicate and fragile, so it is easy to damage their root system or stems. To do this, seedlings are planted in open ground using the transshipment method. But it is better to plant the seedlings in peat cups; in this case, the plants are planted in the soil along with them.

Selecting and preparing a seat

When choosing a place where these bright flowers will grow, you need to know:

• plants cannot tolerate strong drafts and gusts of cold wind;
• the area should be illuminated by sunlight during the day;
• the soil in the flowerbed should be slightly acidic or neutral, quite loose.

If the soil in the garden is too heavy, then before planting flowers, add a sufficient amount of river sand to make it looser. Regardless of how fertile the soil is, humus must be added to it before planting the seedlings at the rate of 10 kg per 1 m2. The land for planting these flowers is prepared in advance, 25–30 days before planting. However It is better to prepare a flower bed for planting flowers at the end of the previous season.

Important! In no case should fresh manure be added to celosia before planting (or fertilized during the season); it is destructive to flowers.

Heat-loving seedlings cannot tolerate even slight fluctuations in air temperature, so the time for planting them in open ground is the first days of June, when the heat has finally established itself.

Features of celosia cultivation (video)

Growing celosia from seeds

Celosia varieties can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. But it is believed that when propagated by the second method, plants most often lose their decorative properties. Therefore, flower growers grow seedlings from seed at home, which are planted in a specially prepared place with the onset of warm weather. Seeds can be bought at a specialty store or collected yourself from flowers in the previous season.

The seed has a too thick shell, so before planting it must be soaked in water at room temperature (or in an epin solution) for several hours. It is best to plant in the last ten days of March - in the first ten days of April. It is better to buy soil for planting celosia in a specialized store (it should be a mixture for tropical flowering plants).

The distance between seeds when sowing should be 2–3 cm. However, the seed of these plants is small; they are not buried in the ground, but simply scattered over the soil, which is pre-moistened. Containers with planted seeds are covered with polyethylene and placed in the light. The air temperature in the room should be maintained around 22 - 24°C.

Emerging seedlings should not be exposed to direct sunlight; it is better if it is diffused light. It is enough to hang tulle on the window to protect young plants. Polyethylene is removed 5 - 7 days after the seedlings appear. The daylight hours while growing seedlings are not yet too long, so seedlings need additional lighting in the evening and morning hours (4 - 5 hours a day).

Emerging seedlings should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

Picking and planting seedlings in open ground

When planting seedlings at close distances, there is a need to pick them. This type of flower must be picked twice:

1. When the seedlings have a pair of true leaves, they are planted at a distance of at least 5 - 6 cm from each other, the nutrient mixture for replanting them should be the same. Seedlings in a new place take root quite quickly, and now it’s time to add fertilizer to the soil from a complex mineral fertilizer (for flowers). Such feeding should not be highly concentrated. This procedure is carried out in parallel with watering the seedlings.
2. After complete engraftment of the picked seedlings, it can be replanted again. For transplantation, you should use peat cups, in each of which one seedling is planted. When the seedlings re-establish themselves, they can be fed again.

When planting in open ground, the distance between young plants should be at least 14–18 cm (for short varieties), and 24–29 cm for tall plants.

Be sure to place a layer of drainage material at the bottom of the planting holes.(at least 5 cm in height). Soil with low acidity should be treated with lime before planting flowers. After planting, the seedlings must be watered, the soil is loosened and mulch 7–10 cm high is added. You can use sawdust, peat as mulch, and if these materials are not available, you can use mown grass.

During the season, celosia is fed once every 25 - 30 days.

Features of caring for celosia

Young seedlings planted in open ground are very tender and require special care. The main thing they are afraid of is the spring cold snap. But if it is not possible to plant seedlings when the spring frosts are behind us, then you should worry about covering the flowers during the cold period. And one more thing: these flowers do not like stagnant moisture in the soil, so watering should be moderate, otherwise the root system may begin to rot. That's why Watering is carried out only after the top layer of soil dries. To allow oxygen from the air to reach the roots, the soil should be loosened. Simultaneously with loosening, emerging weeds are destroyed.

During the season, celosia is fed once every 25–30 days. As a top dressing, you should use universal fertilizers, which contain nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. But there is no need to feed flowers more often, because excess feeding leads to a later onset of flowering. Fresh organic fertilizers are not applied to this plant; if necessary, it can be replaced with bone meal or compost.

After the celosia has finished blooming, it still looks great in the flowerbed for some time due to the color of the foliage - with a green, golden or purple tint. This annual dies when the air temperature drops below 0°C. When the flowers fade, fruits form in their place - small boxes containing black seeds. However Not in all regions the seeds have time to ripen completely. But if flower growers managed to collect ripe seed material, then it can be stored for no more than 4–5 years. Moreover, they do not lose germination throughout this entire period.

Celosia in a pot (video)

Not only experienced flower growers can grow celosia varieties in their garden plots, but also those who are just starting to grow flowers on their plots. And although they are grown as annuals in our climate, having planted it in the garden once, gardeners will breed it annually.

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Message quote Cockscomb. Celosia

Celosia, Latin - Celosia. The name comes from the Greek word ‘kelcos’ - burning, fiery and is associated with the color of the leaves and flowers. Velvety exotic inflorescences of various celosias look great in the most exquisite flower arrangements, coloring our gardens.

Amazingly beautiful low-growing potted celosias are an elegant decoration for a sunny loggia and balcony.

The genus includes up to 60 species, originating from Southern China, Eastern India, Africa and America.

Celosia paniculata in Nigeria it has a complex name that translates as “a plant that makes husbands fat and happy.” Its broad leaves are traditionally used as food in West and Central Africa. In Chinese folk medicine, celosia seeds are a valuable medicinal raw material; here, medicinal and health-improving teas are prepared from it.

Cirrus , or Celosia plumosa (Celosia argentea f. plumosa), crowned with an inflorescence in the form of a dense or loose, large panicle, reminiscent of either a plume or a miniature flame of a fire. Maybe it was she who gave the name to the whole species, because translated from Greek the word kelos means “burning”, “blazing.”

Another form celosia comb , or celosia cristata (Celosia argentea f. cristata), popularly often called the “cockscomb”. Its unusual shape of the inflorescence arose as a result of a rather rare phenomenon in botany - fasciation, that is, the growth of the upper part of the peduncle. All its branches have grown together, forming a wide receptacle, winding in the upper part, on which numerous small flowers are located tightly together.

The wild ancestors of this celosia come from Southeast Asia and Africa. It is difficult to say where exactly it came from to Europe: some botanists believe that it came from India, others from Africa. It is known for certain that this happened in the second half of the 16th century, and the plant immediately became very popular among gardeners.

Among the forms and varieties of silver celosia, there are giants up to a meter high with very large inflorescences and dwarfs only 10-20 cm tall, whose inflorescences, elegantly framed by leaves, seem to lie directly on the ground. The flowers of both forms can be light yellow, almost cream, orange, pink, crimson, salmon, red, burgundy. But no matter what colors and shades the inflorescences are painted in, they are always surprisingly bright, burning, as if phosphorescent.

Perennial or mostly annual herbaceous plants with straight, succulent, ribbed stems of green color, often with a red tint, 30-70 cm in height. The leaves are arranged in alternate order, entire, petiolate, smooth, ovate with a pointed end, green, variegated or dark purple. The flowers are small, bisexual, with brightly colored membranous bracts, collected in large, original comb or paniculate inflorescences. The fruit is a round capsule. The seeds are round, shiny, black. There are 700-800 pieces in 1 g, retaining viability for up to 5 years.

Celosia inflorescences are divided into three main groups according to their shape:

• spikelets
• feathery
• comb

The most commonly cultivated plants are celosia cristata and celosia pinnate.

Care

Celosia captivates not only with its beauty, but also with its ease of cultivation. Celosia is easy to grow from seeds. They are sown for seedlings in the first half of April. Seedlings dive into pots, since the plant does not tolerate transplantation into open ground. At the beginning of June, when the threat of frost has passed, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place.

The soil is preferably fertile, loose, structural, non-acidic. It is advisable to choose a place protected from the wind, warm, sunny and without stagnant water. The distance between plants depends on the variety and ranges from 15 cm for low varieties to 30-35 cm for tall ones. During the initial growth period, good watering is required. Fertilizing with complete mineral fertilizer is done once every 10-15 days. If you overfeed plants with nitrogen and organic matter, they will grow powerful, but will bloom poorly.

Celosia is planted in flower beds, ridges, and borders. It grows well in containers, on balconies and window sills. Flowering - from late June until frost.

Reproduction

Reproduction of celosia is not particularly difficult. Celosia is mainly propagated by seeds, since when cuttings the decorative properties of plants are sometimes lost. Celosia seeds are sown for seedlings in March-April under film. Sow rarely on the surface of damp soil. It is advisable to sow celosia directly into separate pots so as not to damage the root system of plants when picking. The first shoots appear after 4-6 days

It is better to buy seeds of a mixture of varieties, and then the variegated, cheerful celosias will color your balcony and garden for a very long time - all summer and the warm part of autumn.

Celosia seedlings are grown at moderate room temperature (17-20 ° C), with good lighting and ventilation.

The main thing is moderate and careful watering. It is important not to dry out the soil or overwater young plants, since the roots of celosia seedlings easily rot from excessively wet soil. Celosia seedlings should be grown in a bright window, protected from the hot sun.

Transplantation of grown and acclimatized plants into open ground is carried out only after the end of the spring cold season. After all, celosia is very thermophilic and does not tolerate even the slightest frost!

Between dwarf varieties, the distance between plants is 10-15 cm; larger plants are planted every 20-30 cm.

The best place to plant celosia in the garden is sunny, protected from cold winds. The soil is desirable to be loose, slightly acidic, and well-drained.

Fertilizing celosia with mineral fertilizers is carried out once a month. Celosias respond very well to fertilization with lush flowering.

On hot and dry days, abundant watering of celosias is necessary, otherwise they droop their leaves and do not form new flower stalks.

Note for lovers of dried flowers and compilers of winter bouquets: celosia is perfect for floral arrangements!

Celosia inflorescences perfectly retain their “foppish” shape and model-like appearance for a long time. They do not lose color if they are cut before the seeds begin to ripen and well dried in a dark, cool room for two weeks.

4.
Varieties and types

Silver comb celosia (Celosia argentea), or Cockscomb.

Perennial up to 45 cm high, cultivated as an annual.
Elegant varieties have a compact bush, reaching a height of 20-35 cm.
Small flowers of celosia crestata are collected in a spectacular massive inflorescence with convolutions along the upper edge. The shape of the inflorescence resembles a cockscomb.

The color of comb celosia flowers can be yellow, pink, orange, purple-red. Such bright colors and unusual shapes of inflorescences are rarely found among other plants.

Therefore, a flower bed with comb celosia invariably attracts admiring glances.

Comb celosia blooms from July to October.

However, the decorative properties of plants are not lost after flowering. After all, the leaves of various varieties of comb celosia are not only green, but also dark red, burgundy, purple, bronze, and golden.

Variety " Impress"has a red inflorescence and purple leaves.

In the variety " Imperialis"(20-25 cm high) beautiful dark red shoots, purple leaves with red veins, dark purple inflorescences.

Variety " Atropurpurea» the same height, has a pinkish stem with light green leaves; large inflorescences are purple-red.

Comb celosia is used for planting in flower beds, ridges, flowerpots and as a summer potted crop. This ornamental plant also looks great in combination with other annuals.

Silver feathery celosia (Celosia argentea).

An annual plant up to a meter high.

Cirrus celosia blooms for a long time and luxuriantly for many months, without losing its decorative effect until the autumn frosts.

Spectacular varieties of pinnate celosia form a compact bush with bright paniculate inflorescences. The length of the inflorescences is usually half or a third of the height of the plant.
Dwarf (20-30 cm), medium-sized (30-50 cm) and tall varieties (50-90 cm) have been bred.

The colors of the stems, leaves and inflorescences of pinnate celosia are very diverse.

Dwarf mixture " Geisha"(height 20-25 cm) forms charming panicles of inflorescences in a rich range of colors. This luxurious mixture is very good for potting.

Another dwarf multi-colored mixture - “ Baby»

Variety " Goldfeder"(height 25-30 cm) decorates the balcony and garden with paniculate golden-yellow inflorescences, as if emitting light.

Variety " Feuerfeder"(height 35 cm) has greenish-pink shoots and light leaves with pink veins, the inflorescence is bright red.

Variety " New Look"(height 35-40 cm) amazes with the contrast of purple-violet foliage with a metallic tint and scarlet panicles.

Variety " Golden Flitz"(height 80 cm) forms a golden-orange inflorescence against the background of light green leaves.

Variety " Tomsoni Magnifica"(height 60-80 cm) has greenish-pink stems and leaves, pyramidal inflorescences are burgundy.

Celosia pinnate is used in flower beds, groups, for single plantings and for bouquets. Dwarf species are used for growing in pots and for decorating a sunny balcony.

Celosia spicata.

Spikelet celosias are less popular among gardeners, but in vain!

The inflorescences of plants in this group are very similar in appearance to ears of wheat - hence the name.

The color of the flowers of spikelet celosias is also varied - from white to purple. Bright, showy inflorescences go well with narrow green leaves.

Depending on the variety, plant height ranges from 20 cm to 1.20 m. By the way, it is the spikelet group of celosias that is the ancestor of garden forms.

Celosias are valued for the originality of their bright inflorescences and decorative leaves. Good in containers and flowerpots. Recommended for flower beds, flowerbeds, vases, dry bouquets.

Paths and shape. Without exaggeration, this one is just a godsend for.

Cockerel flowers

To plant bearded species, it is necessary to do a good job, since stagnant water can cause great harm. Before planting, the soil must be loosened well and everything removed. Fertile, rich ones will be ideal for planting.

Did you know? In ancient times, iris seeds were considered a delicacy; they were fried and prepared into a drink vaguely reminiscent of coffee.

Planting irises

There is no specific guide on when to plant irises; this can be done both in spring and autumn, taking into account certain nuances.

in spring

Pre-plant preparation should not be neglected. You should carefully inspect and, if necessary, remove the roots on which rot has formed, and trim the roots that are too long.

Then it would be a good idea to disinfect it in a solution of potassium permanganate; to do this, mix the preparation with water until it turns pale pink and soak the planting material in it for 30-40 minutes.

This simple procedure will help to avoid further problems with the development of the plant. Another secret to successful planting is that the root can be kept in solution for 30 minutes, due to this it will create a stable immunity to. The depth of the planting hole for bearded species should be proportional to the tuber; it should not be deepened too much; the top should rise above the ground.

When planting non-bearded irises, the root should be carefully covered with soil. If you plan to plant several nearby, you must maintain a distance of at least 60 cm between them.

in autumn

In fact, autumn planting is not much different from spring planting. It is also recommended to disinfect the roots and remove rotting areas. Let's call these hygiene procedures that will protect in the future.

As for the depth and interval of planting irises, almost everything coincides with the spring one. The only thing that needs to be taken into account is that the tubers should be planted mainly at the end of summer and maximum in the first week of September, this way the plant will take root well before the cold weather and we will get the desired result.

How to care for flowers

It seems impossible, looking at the charming bettas in the photo, that planting and caring for them will not be difficult, but this is true.

Plants need regular application only in very dry weather during the period of bud formation. In the further process, you can enjoy the decorative effect of the leaves and not carry out water procedures.
The plant is not very demanding regarding feeding. You can apply phosphorus in the spring if the soil, in your opinion, is not saturated enough.

It wouldn’t hurt to add a comprehensive one in the fall. But during the flowering period, any feeding is strictly not recommended for irises.

Plant diseases and pests

Cockerels are quite strong and resilient, but it happens that they can be damaged by diseases or. Problems may arise due to excessive moisture; the roots may begin to rot.

In this case, you should immediately dig up the plant and use a knife to remove the rotten parts, disinfect and dry the root in the sun. Often gardeners are faced with a disease of irises such as spotting.

In order for the leaves to remain healthy and not be overtaken by this disease, it is advisable to spray them with a 1% solution.

Celosia or cellosia (from the Latin Celosia) belongs to the genus of the Amaranthaceae family. The culture got its name from the Greek Kelos, which means “flaming” or “burning”. This word describes both the color and shape of the inflorescences, which form like multi-colored flames. In nature, cellosia is found in Africa, South America and Asia. Today, more than 60 species of this beautiful plant are known, but only a few of them are grown in gardens and at home.

Celosia - description and characteristics of the flower

In nature, celosia is presented in several forms - as a shrub and an annual plant. In our climatic conditions, mostly annuals are grown, since they are very capricious and practically cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures.

The plant has straight, elongated and fairly branched stems. The leaves are ovoid in shape and arranged alternately. Flowers are collected in comb-shaped, spike-shaped or paniculate inflorescences, which can have a wide variety of shades - from yellow and golden to scarlet or bright orange. The fruit is represented by a small box with seeds, from which you can grow a new flower if they are collected, stored and planted correctly.

Three of the known species of this beautiful plant are most often grown in the garden or at home, namely Spikelet, Combate or Pinnate. These varieties are relatively tolerant of winter temperatures and bloom well indoors if cared for properly.

Due to its variegated and varied colors, this plant is often used in landscape design to create bright compositions, decorate entrances, paths, fences, etc.

Review of popular varieties for home cultivation

Celosia Comb, Silver (“Cockscomb”). One of the most popular and beautiful varieties of garden flowers, which can reach a height of up to 45 centimeters. Depending on the specific subspecies, the plant has green or green-burgundy leaves with a golden tint, especially in autumn. The small flowers are collected in massive inflorescences that resemble the shape of cockscombs and can take on shades of purple, red or orange.

Flowering time is usually from mid-summer to late September. The most preferred varieties for growing in our climatic conditions include:

• Impress with burgundy leaves and bright red flowers;
• Atropurpurea. It has a pinkish stem, green leaves and very beautiful flower “combs”;
• Imperialis is the shortest type of celosia with reddish foliage and burgundy-red inflorescences.

Also popular are such hybrid varieties as Malyutka, Kimono, Corals or Coral Garden, Giant, whose inflorescences look like a huge comb, and others. They differ in color and size of buds, as well as the period of active flowering. But most of the varieties presented are capable of growing in open ground only in tropical or near-tropical conditions, since they cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures even under cover and with proper mulching of the ground.

Celosia Cirrus or Paniculate. A fairly tall-growing plant variety, which also has low-growing, almost dwarf forms. At the tops of straight, strictly elongated stems, beautiful panicle inflorescences grow, acquiring a wide variety of colors - from orange to all types of red. The leaves are usually lush green in color, and the flowering period is from early July to mid-October.

Among the most hardy and beautiful species of paniculate celosia are the following:

• Goldfeder. A low-growing variety (up to 35 cm in height) with bright, red flowers with a golden tint;
• Tomsoni Magnific. A taller species with light green foliage and massive, burgundy “panicles”;
• New Look. A beautiful variety with purple-violet flowers and bright green leaves, reaching 70 cm in height.

Celosia Huttona or Koloskovaya. A less common plant variety for growing in our climatic conditions. However, interest in it is growing every year, especially among professional designers. The stem is from 25 to 85 centimeters high, the leaves are medium-sized, with rich colors.

The inflorescences resemble small spikelets in shape, which are painted in red, orange, purple, yellow and even white tones. The most striking representative of this subspecies is Coral cellosia with very beautiful “spikelet” flowers of bright color.

Growing cellosia from seeds at home

The seed method is practically the only way to propagate and plant this flower at home. The seeds are collected in the fall, for which several already withered inflorescences are cut off and placed in a glass vase or other suitable container and stored in a dark and dry room. When they are dry enough, they are shaken over a newspaper or napkin, thereby releasing the necessary material, which is placed in boxes and stored in the refrigerator.

Before planting, it is recommended to soak the finished seeds in a solution of biostimulants Epin or Zircon in the proportion of 1 drop of each drug per liter of clean, warm water. This will allow you to soak the too dense shell and saturate the material with nutrients that stimulate growth and development.

Sow the material in the spring, in mid-March or early April. The optimal composition of the soil is humus soil and vermiculite mixed in equal parts; adding a small amount of fresh sand is also acceptable. The seeds are laid out on the surface of the soil in pots, gently and lightly pressed down on top with your fingers, then immediately sprinkled with water using a spray bottle without powder.

The top of the container with the planted seeds is covered with transparent plastic film or glass and placed on the brightest windowsill in the southern part of the apartment or house.

The room temperature is maintained at +23-25 ​​degrees, the seedlings are protected from direct sunlight, the seedlings are periodically watered and ventilated under the covering material, while preventing condensation from occurring.

The first shoots will appear 8-12 days after planting. If you planted seeds in one container, they must be planted in different pots, without changing the composition of the soil. The first transplant is carried out after the first 2 leaves appear in compact but spacious containers.

When the new seedlings take root and take root properly, they are once again transplanted together with a ball of earth into larger pots (peat-humus can be used) and the young plant is fed with a special complex of mineral fertilizers for indoor flowers.

Planting in open ground - following the basic rules

The plant is planted in open ground exclusively in warm weather, when the time for night frosts has already passed, and the average air temperature during the day fluctuates between +15-20 degrees. The ideal time to plant cellosia in your garden is mid to late May.

The area should be sunny, well ventilated, and the soil must have a drainage layer. Too acidic soils are additionally deacidified using conventional liming. It is also not recommended to introduce or mix soil on the planting area with fresh organic fertilizers, mullein, chicken droppings, etc.

When all conditions are met, planting begins. It is best to do this by transshipment, so as not to damage the still fragile and tender young roots of the plant. If the seedlings were planted in peat pots, the flower is planted in open ground along with them at a distance of 15-20 cm in the case of low-growing varieties and 25-30 cm for taller types of celosia.

Care after planting is the most important stage of plant development

In general, caring for this flower at home or in the garden is not particularly difficult. There are 2 main weaknesses of cellosium to remember. In open ground, it practically does not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. Therefore, a plant planted too early will simply die after the first frost.

This flower does not like very wet soil, so it is necessary to strictly control the quantity and quality of watering. Liquid is applied only on the hottest and hottest days, or when the top layer of soil is completely dry. The soil around the plantings is periodically loosened, and weeds are immediately removed.

You should not get carried away with fertilizing. In the second month of growth, you can apply a small amount of mineral fertilizers high in phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen. You should be careful with the latter - too much nitrogen will turn the plant into a lush green shrub, and flowers may not appear at all.

In order not to leave it for the winter, after flowering in the open air it is destroyed, storing the seeds for subsequent spring planting. Cellosia is very well preserved in dry form, so it is often used as a basis for fragrant home bouquets.

Cut several large branches with flower stalks, tie them into a bunch and let them brew at room temperature in a vase without water for 2-3 weeks. Then they are combined with other colors or used as a spectacular, independent decoration in the house.

Control of diseases and pests in the garden

This plant is classified as resistant, despite its rather capricious “character”. Diseases most often affect cellosia at a tender, seedling age. The main enemy of the flower is the black leg, which appears as a result of waterlogging of the soil or excessive air humidity indoors or in an open area.

The disease is expressed in the gradual blackening of the stem at its base. When the first signs are detected, immediately loosen the soil, sprinkle a small layer of wood ash on top and completely stop watering for a while, even if the weather is hot outside.

Often garden aphids grow on celosia, which spoils the leaves and flowers of the plant. To eliminate it, special double-action preparations are used - insecticides or folk remedies. One of these is a solution based on liquid soap and vegetable oil, which are mixed with warm water. Treatment is carried out in the evenings, 2-3 times within one week. This remedy is also good to use as a preventative against other harmful insects and diseases.

If you follow basic standards, correct planting, timely fertilizing, monitoring watering and caring for cellosia at home or in the garden, you will get a bright, beautiful plant with lush flowers of a wide variety of shades and shapes.