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« Antwoord #11 Gepost op: 18 Mei 2010, 05:42:56 » |
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* This plant will add more color to your garden
Manila Bulletin May 18, 2010
A popular and easy to grow annual flowering plant is the Cosmos. It’s a plant genus of about 20 to 26 species of herbaceous annual and perennial plants in the family Asteraceae. Sunflowers, Daisies and Asters also belong to this large plant family.
The Cosmos is native to the grasslands of Mexico. It also grows in the southern United States (Arizona, Florida), Central America, and South America.
The common hybrids belong to the group of Cosmos sulphureus. They are herbaceous perennial plants growing about 0.3 to two meters tall. The leaves are simple, pinnate, or bi-pinnate, and arranged in opposite pairs.
Flowers are produced in a capitulum with a ring of broad ray florets. The flower color is very variable between the different species. The genus includes several popular ornamental plants.
These plants are grown as a potted flowering plant, sold in most garden shows and garden centers. It also serves as an insect repellant in organic vegetable farms.
Cosmos flowers are produced in a capitulum, which is surrounded by a ring of broad ray florets and a center of disc florets. The flowers are two to four inches in diameter and they come in brightly-colored single or double flowers, which include white, pink, orange, yellow, and scarlet.
The word Cosmos is derived from a Greek word, which means “a balanced universe.” Perhaps the name was chosen because of the plant’s well-balanced flowers.
Cultural requirements
Light. The Cosmos thrives in sunny locations.
Watering. Water the younger plants regularly for them to grow fast. Reduce watering when the plant starts to flower.
The Cosmos can survive droughts but it’s still advisable to continue watering during long dry spells. Moderately water them once the seedlings grow into mature plants. Too much watering may hinder flowering.
Fertilization. Fertilize plants lightly once every month using ordinary complete fertilizers like 14-14-14, controlled release fertilizers, or garden compost. Over-fertilizing may reduce flower production.
Soil. The plant is best grown in a fertile, well drained loamy soil, preferably without an abundance of clay. A soil rich in organic matter is also ideal. For plants to be sown on pots, use five-inch pots and the recommended soil mix and plant the seeds.
Water the potting mixture enough to make the soil moist but not too much as to leave it water-logged or too wet. This may cause rotting of the seeds.
Pest and diseases. Cosmos plants aren’t affected by insect pests as they have a natural chemical in them that repels insects.
However, it is advisable to protect the plants from too much wind by installing bamboo stakes to prevent delicate stems from bending or breaking, especially for varieties that grow up to three feet or taller.
Remove the spent flowers regularly to keep the rest of the flowers in bloom for many weeks. Cut back dead foliage to prevent disease and to make the plant look clean.
After their growth season, remove or uproot the dead plants and pile them aside as compost, as they also help in fertilizing the soil. Sow new seeds or transplant new seedlings for the next batch of plants.
Propagation. Cosmos plants can be propagated through seeds. Pollinated flowers produce dry seeds, similar to miniature pine needles. The seeds can be air-dried and stored in paper envelopes or planted immediately in the soil.
They are easy to germinate (about seven to 10 days after sowing) and quickly grow into seedlings. They can be directly planted into the soil where they will grow into mature plants or in pots. Space the plants 12 inches apart.
The plants normally grow up to four to five feet in a season. Seedlings may crowd each other and still thrive with carefree, sprawling growth over the late summer and after the end of the rainy season. Plants will flower within eight to 10 weeks of seeding.
Cosmos plants are one of the most easily sold annual plants in garden centers as they are economical, are easy to grow, and can be used as accents or decor.
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