Celosia argentea var. cristata 'Cockscomb' mix

1000 Seeds

Celosia argentea var. cristata, commonly known as Cockscomb, is a striking ornamental annual famous for its large, velvety, brain-like flower heads in brilliant shades of red, crimson, orange, yellow, pink, and purple. It is excellent for flower beds, borders, containers, landscaping, and cut or dried flower arrangements. In the Gulf, it performs best when grown during the cooler months.

Best Planting Time

• October to February (recommended)
• Sow every 3–4 weeks during the cool season for continuous flowering.
• Avoid sowing during the hottest summer months.

Seed Preparation

• No soaking is required.
• Sow fresh, high-quality seeds.
• No cold stratification is needed.

Soil Preparation

Use fertile, loose, well-drained soil rich in organic matter.

Recommended mix:

• 40% Garden soil
• 30% Well-rotted compost
• 20% Coco peat
• 10% Perlite or coarse sand

Ideal soil pH:

• 6.0–7.2

Sowing Method

• Sow seeds in seed trays or directly into the garden.
• Scatter seeds on the soil surface and cover lightly with 2–3 mm of fine soil or vermiculite.
• Keep the soil evenly moist during germination.
• Transplant seedlings when they have 3–4 true leaves.

Temperature & Light

• Ideal germination temperature: 20–25°C
• Ideal growing temperature: 20–32°C
• Requires 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily.
• In the Gulf, morning sun with light afternoon shade helps maintain flower color and quality during late spring.

Watering

• Keep the soil lightly moist during germination.
• After establishment, water when the top 2–3 cm of soil becomes dry.
• Water deeply but avoid waterlogged soil.

Germination Time

• 7–14 days

Plant Spacing

• 25–30 cm between plants.
• 30–40 cm between rows.

Flowering

• Blooms approximately 70–90 days after sowing.
• Remove faded flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
• Mature flowers are excellent for drying and retain their color for months.

Fertilization

• Mix compost into the soil before planting.
• Apply a balanced flowering fertilizer every 3–4 weeks.
• Avoid excessive nitrogen, which encourages foliage instead of flowers.

Gulf Climate Tips

• Grow during the cool season for the best flowering.
• Water early in the morning.
• Apply mulch to conserve soil moisture.
• Ensure good air circulation around plants.
• Monitor for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, powdery mildew, and root rot.
• Cockscomb performs exceptionally well in flower beds, borders, containers, public landscapes, cutting gardens, and dried flower production throughout the Gulf.