Cosmos: growing from seed, and when to plant, is the most important question. This plant is generally quite easy to maintain, but has its own growing requirements.
Cosmos has a southern origin, but today it is successfully grown Even in the northern regions of our country, this plant tolerates cold well, although it is a heat-loving plant. These flowers also enjoy being exposed to a lot of color. Due to its extensive root system, the plant is not as demanding of moisture as many other flowering garden plants.
What points to pay attention to when growing:
- Soil composition isn't as important. However, if the gardener has the opportunity, it's best to plant the plant in light-textured soil. Well-drained soil is ideal. A slightly acidic environment is most favorable, but it's not a necessary growing condition.
- Sunny, shade-free areas are ideal for growing cosmos. It's important to ensure the area is protected from wind;
Adherence to these conditions alone will allow you to enjoy the lush blooms of this plant. If you grow cosmos in partial shade, in very fertile soil, the foliage will develop vigorously, but you'll have to wait a long time for flowers.
Growing from seeds: basic rules
Cosmos: growing from seeds and when to plant (photo) is crucial for lush flowering. The seeds remain viable for several years. Moreover, many varieties of this plant can be propagated by self-sowing, which is extremely convenient.
In principle, the seeds of this flower can be planted directly in open ground. However, if you really want to, seedlings are also suitable. If you sow the seeds directly in open ground, do so in early May or just before winter (so the plant will germinate the following year). You can sow 3-4 seeds per hole, leaving 40 cm between holes. Flowering will occur sometime in July or August.
When growing seedlings indoors, the seeds should be planted in cups as early as April. The plant thrives on full sun, so when sowing, press the seeds into the soil but do not cover them with soil. Cover the cups with plastic wrap until the seedlings appear. Seedlings should appear within two weeks. If the seedlings are dense, thin them out to leave 10 cm between each flower.
Seedlings are possible plant in open ground At the very beginning of summer. It's important for the weather to be consistently warm. Plant in shallow holes and water well immediately after planting. Flowering will begin as early as June or July and continue throughout August. We've already discussed growing cosmos from seeds and when to plant seedlings. The difference between sowing seeds outdoors and indoors is that with seedlings, flowering will begin a month earlier and last longer.
Once again about leaving
From the information already provided in this article, we can conclude that cosmos is quite easy to grow. Gardeners need to do minimal maintenance: loosen the soil and pull out weeds. Watering is only necessary during periods of severe drought (if hot weather lasts 10 days or more).
If you're growing tall varieties, they may need additional support. Pinching the tops will stimulate the growth of side shoots.
Cosmos: growing from seeds, when to plant. Forums recommend choosing the seed method, purely because it's less hassle. Incidentally, you can harvest the seeds yourself. You'll need to collect the flower heads from plants that still have flowers (when they turn dark). If you don't collect the seeds, the cosmos will release its own seeds into the soil. This process is called self-seeding.
Cosmos: growing from seeds and when to plant are of interest to many gardeners. This is also because this plant is not susceptible to pests or diseases. Moreover, the flowers attract beneficial insects. Perennial cosmos requires winter protection. It will be beneficial. 2015 gardening calendar for the Moscow region.
So, growing cosmos is a great option for gardeners who enjoy blooming flowerbeds but don't want to spend a lot of time tending them. The plant delights with buds of various colors and doesn't even require additional watering. Growing cosmos from seed is easy, even for beginners, even experienced gardeners.