It's just space - all about the varieties and types of cosmos (with photos)

Author: Natalya Category: Garden plants Published: February 10, 2019Republished: February 10, 2019Last edits: January 20, 2021

Cosmea is a flower that has been familiar to us since childhood. It’s just that when we saw cosmos bushes near the entrance, in parks, squares and vacant lots, we didn’t know the name of this plant. Thanks to its undemanding conditions and care, as well as its resistance to adverse environmental factors, the Mexican aster has become widespread throughout the world.

Read our article and you will find out:

• what types and varieties of cosmos are most popular in culture;
• how to grow cosmos seedlings;
• when to transplant seedlings into a flower garden;
• how to care for cosmos during the season:
• How perennial plant varieties overwinter.

When to collect and how to store cosmos seeds

It is advisable to choose a clear and dry day to collect seeds.
Typically, collection is carried out in the afternoon, when the morning dew has completely dried. It is best to collect seeds in small fabric bags or paper bags.

If there are not too many seeds, then they can be stored in these same bags, arranged as loosely as possible in the box. Then this box must be placed in a dry and warm room.

To avoid confusion, write the plant variety and the date of seed collection on the bag. If there are quite a lot of seeds, then they can be scattered into boxes in a thin layer or carefully folded onto a sheet of paper. It is best to lay such paper somewhere in the attic or barn - the main thing is that it is dry and warm.

Did you know? Cosmos seeds can be collected both unripe and fully ripened, while the germination rate remains quite high.

Cosmea after flowering

Collecting seeds

Chamomile flowers

To propagate perennial cosmos, cuttings and tubers are used. After initial planting, Cosmea annual is capable of reproducing by self-seeding for several years (usually from 3 to 5 years). If you need to collect seeds, then you need to leave several large buds on the bush. To avoid the ripened seeds from falling to the ground, you need to put bags made of gauze on the buds. Ripe seeds should turn dark in color, after which they will need to be collected. But it must be taken into account that this crop is cross-pollinated, so cosmos grown from seeds collected by yourself may not retain varietal characteristics. In this regard, it will be much easier to buy seeds of the variety that you like best in a specialized store.

Wintering of perennial cosmos

After the end of flowering, it is recommended to shorten the shoots of the perennial cosmos to 15 centimeters. For wintering, the bushes must be covered with spruce branches.

Cosmos care

Cosmea is quite undemanding in care. All she needs is watering once a week, weeding if necessary, and loosening the soil.

If the plants look weak, you need to feed them with complex mineral fertilizer. Such feeding should be moderate. Two or three times is enough. The first feeding is carried out before budding, the second - during budding and the third - at the beginning of flowering.

You can prune heavily overgrown bushes to give a neat, compact look. A small pruning will not harm the plant; on the contrary, the flowering will be even more magnificent. Tall varieties are tied to a support.

Wilted flowers should be removed to prolong flowering and preserve the decorative appearance of the plant.

Diseases and pests

The big advantage of cosmos is its resistance to disease. It is also not afraid of pests and this greatly simplifies the care of these flowers. But if slugs and snails rule your area, then you need to take care of protecting young plants with delicate foliage.

You can lay out all kinds of traps with tasty baits and collect pests manually. Mulching the soil with sawdust, ash, crushed egg or nut shells, and coarse sand also helps a lot. Gastropods will find it difficult to crawl on such a rough surface.

How to collect and store seeds

You can collect cosmos seeds yourself. For this purpose, you need to leave the largest and brightest inflorescences. When the flowers wither, the heads with ripening seeds can be placed in gauze bags. In this case, the ripened seeds will not fall to the ground, and the birds will not be able to reach them.

Since cosmos is a cross-pollinated plant, flowers that are different from the original variety may grow from the collected seeds.

Store cosmos seeds in a dry place. Shelf life up to two to three years. During this time, the seeds remain viable.

Cosmos flowers in garden design

Many varieties of cosmos of various shades suggest wide possibilities for its use in landscape design. These flowers are perfect for decorating a site in the rustic style that is popular today, which implies simplicity and naturalness.

Cosmos can be planted not only in flower beds, but also near vegetable beds and fruit trees. With their lush flowering, they will not only please the eye, but also attract beneficial insects to destroy pests.

Tall cosmos varieties are good for creating a rear view when planted along fences or against a wall. With their lush openwork greenery with bright flowers, they decorate unsightly areas of the garden and serve as a good background for low-growing types of flowers.

You can also grow cosmos as a hedge, which can be trimmed neatly if desired.

Low-growing varieties of cosmos are grown in flower beds, flowerpots, and balcony containers. Dwarf cosmos is also suitable for planting as a border along garden paths and around flower beds. Phlox, marigolds, daisies, verbena, Turkish carnations and other bright annuals go well with cosmos flowers.

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Medicinal properties and contraindications

Cosmea is not a medicine. Official medicine does not use the plant to prepare medicines. The flower crop is not eaten.

Cosmea is credited with esoteric properties: it heals the human soul, helps to cope with life’s difficulties, and broadens one’s horizons.

Cosmea doubly pinnate - a sunny flower! It will fit into any composition in a flower bed, decorate unsightly areas in the garden, decorate balconies and borders, and can be planted as a hedge. Plant a “cosmic flower” in a deserted, boring area, and it will become bright and cheerful.

Cosmos care

Godetia growing from seeds when to plant

Even an inexperienced gardener can grow cosmos in his garden. This plant must be watered regularly, or rather, once every 7 days. In this case, abundant watering is necessary, so 40–50 liters of water should be poured under each bush. After each watering, it is necessary to loosen the surface of the area, as well as weed until the bushes grow and become stronger.

These plants are fed three times a season with fertilizers for flowering plants: before the formation of buds, during the budding period and at the very beginning of flowering. To make the plant bloom more luxuriantly, it can be fed by foliage with a solution of the drug Bud. However, it should be noted that this plant must be fertilized moderately.

Pick off faded flowers in a timely manner. If desired, heavily overgrown bushes can be trimmed, which will restore their attractiveness and compactness, while flowering will not be affected by this procedure.

Diseases and pests

Cosmea is very resistant to diseases and pests, so they are practically not scary for it. While the bushes are not yet strong, they can be harmed by snails and slugs. If gastropods are found on bushes, they must be collected by hand. You can also distribute several beer traps around the area, and all you have to do is check them regularly and collect pests.

Description

Translated from Greek, double-pinnate cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) means “decoration”. The popular name of the flower is “cosmos”, “chamomile”, “Mexican aster”.

This representative of the flora belongs to the Asteraceae or Asteraceae family. Mexico is the birthplace of the herbaceous plant.

Botanical characteristics of cosmos

• Stem: thin, erect, very strong. From the base to the top it is densely branched: many branches extend from it along its entire length. The height of the bush varies from 0.5 to 1.5 m (depending on the variety);
• Leaves: openwork, consist of separate thread-like lobes. Their color is rich, green;
• Flowers: single or shield-shaped inflorescences of large size, their diameter varies from 7 to 10 cm. They are located on long bare peduncles. Each flower is decorated with a yellow center, surrounded by petals of various shades - white, red, purple, pink and others. The flowering period is from July to September.

The advantages of cosmos are resistance to diseases and pests, ease of care, long-lasting beautiful flowering.

Types and varieties of cosmos with photos and names

Gardeners cultivate only 3 types of cosmos, 1 of which is perennial, and the remaining 2 are annual. As a result of the painstaking work of breeders, a large number of hybrids and varieties of this flowering plant were born.

Cosmos bipinnatus

This herbaceous plant is an annual. It comes from the mountainous regions of Mexico. The height of highly branched, erect shoots can vary from 0.8 to 1.5 m. The leaf plates, dissected into thread-like lobes, are externally similar to the foliage of dill. The inflorescences reach 7–10 centimeters in diameter; they can be solitary or part of large corymbose inflorescences. The marginal flowers are colored red, purple, white or pink. In this case, the tubular flowers in the middle of the inflorescence form a small yellow disk. This species is distinguished by lush flowering, and it also gives excellent self-seeding. Cultivated since 1799. Today, this species is most popular among gardeners. Varieties:

1. Dazzler. During opening, the baskets are painted a rich red color, but after a while they change it to crimson.
2. Purity. The shoots are very flexible, and the inflorescences are snow-white in color.
3. Cosmea low-growing Sonata series, it includes the Sonata Pink Blush variety. Pink inflorescences around the center have a red rim.

Cosmos sulphureus

This annual species is found naturally in Latin America. It is distinguished by its heat-loving nature. The surface of the erect, branched shoots has pubescence; they reach a height of approximately 150 cm. The leaf blades are dissected twice or thrice into pinnate, wide, lanceolate-shaped lobes, which are pointed towards the tips. The color of the reed flowers is yellow-golden or orange. The yellow tubular flowers have prominent dark anthers with orange tips. Cultivated since 1799 Varieties:

1. Bilbo. Semi-double baskets have an orange color.
2. Crest Lemon. The height of the bush is about 0.5 m. The color of the inflorescences is yellow-lemon.
3. Diablo The baskets have a fiery red color.

Blood red cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus)

This species is perennial, and in natural conditions it can be found in Mexico. This species is also called black cosmos because the inflorescences are painted a very dark shade of red, while the velvety flowers have a chocolate scent. The composition of complex leaf blades includes an unpaired number of leaflets. This plant is also very heat-loving; therefore, experienced gardeners recommend planting flowers in pots that can be brought indoors during the winter. When growing in open soil, cosmos will need to be covered. Today, terry varieties are especially popular. The most popular varieties are:

1. Brightness. The plant is distinguished by lush flowering. Terry inflorescences have a rich color.
2. Antiquity. This variety of compact cosmos is unique. At first, the inflorescences are painted the color of Burgundy wine, which over time changes to salmon with a bronze tint.
3. Double click rose bon-bon. The large double flowers are pink in color and can be cut for a long time.

Cosmea cultivation, care, reproduction

This is an annual plant that can be grown either by seedlings or by sowing seeds directly into the ground (at the end of April - beginning of May, when the last frosts have definitely gone away). My advice to you: do not bother with seedlings, clutter all the window sills with glasses, this is irrational and ineffective, because the seeds germinate well and grow quickly in open ground. As the seedlings grow a little, they need to be planted, leaving a distance between plants of at least 60 centimeters. Ready seedlings can be used in border plantings and in any places that need to be decorated with flowers.

Cosmos flowering begins in mid-summer and continues until the first frost. During the growth period, it quickly grows delicate green foliage, so I use this mini-shrub not only to decorate open areas, but also for cover: next to tulips and daffodils, it turns green, and when they fade and lose their attractiveness, it covers it with its crown yellowness.

Its leaf mass grows quickly, but this negatively affects flowering. Through trial and error, I figured out how to deal with such a density of cosmos and how to increase the number of flowers - the plant needs to be trimmed periodically (leave about 30 centimeters of the plant, and cut off the rest). It lends itself well to shaping and, after cutting, blooms profusely, thanks to the rapid development of flower buds.

Today, it is not difficult to buy various types of cosmos in flower shops. There are varieties with both regular and double flowers, red, burgundy, purple, pink, white, bright red and other colors. Rubens cosmos and terry cosmos are very beautiful - the fruits of modern selection. Terry flowers are large, about 10 centimeters in diameter. The bushes grow massive, large, with rich, bold foliage. But when buying a hybrid, keep in mind that this flower is cross-pollinated, which is why the varietal characteristics are no longer preserved the next year. And if you sow the seeds of terry cosmos, then do not look for buds with double flowers, because they can differ in both shape and color.

As I already mentioned, don’t worry too much about choosing a place and soil for cosmos, because it grows better on moderately fertile and even poor soil. It is better not to apply fertilizers at all, otherwise you will have to chop down the bushes with an ax. The only thing is timely watering and systematic cutting. These simple rules will help you become a successful gardener when growing such a beautiful, long-flowering garden shrub as cosmos!

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Growing seedlings

Sowing is done directly into the container in which the flower will be permanently located, it is more convenient. If you plan to transfer them to open ground, it is better to plant the seeds in separate plastic cups.

Preparation of seedlings begins in March and is done as follows:

• The container is filled with a universal light soil mixture with slightly acidic properties, small holes are made for the seeds, just press the soil 1 cm with your finger. Moisten the planting site with a spray bottle.
• Seeds in an amount of 2-3 pieces are placed in the holes and sprinkled with earth without pressing down. Re-hydrate.
• The crops are covered with transparent material (glass, film) and installed in a warm place with a temperature of +18…+20 °C. It is important to maintain high light levels. Be sure to ventilate the container periodically by removing the coating, and regularly moisten the soil.
• Shoots appear within a week. As soon as shoots appear, the coating is removed, and the air temperature can be reduced by several degrees.
• Crops in boxes are thinned out, maintaining a distance of 10 cm between sprouts.

Cosmos varieties

Currently, cosmos is represented by many varieties of different selections. New varieties are very different from the plants of our childhood to which we are accustomed. The height of plants, the shape and color of flowers sometimes amaze our imagination. Thus, thanks to the work of breeders, terry cosmos and dwarf cosmos (or low-growing cosmos) appeared.

Here is a short overview of popular varieties of cosmos flower.

Cosmea White Sonata has large, up to 12 cm, beautiful white flowers with petals cut along the edge. The plants are relatively low-growing, up to 50 cm high. The Sonata variety series also includes varieties of cosmos with white flowers with raspberry edging, pink, crimson, carmine, and burgundy flowers.

Cosmea Ladybug produces bright (yellow, orange, red) semi-double flowers up to 7 cm in size. A low-growing variety, plant height does not exceed 30 cm.

Cosmos Vega is a mixture of flowers of three shades (white, pink and red), the diameter of which reaches 7-10 cm. A low-growing variety, the height of the bushes reaches 30 cm.

Cosmea Seashell has multi-colored, large flowers (10-12 cm). The name of the variety was not chosen by chance. Thanks to the original petals rolled into a tube, the inflorescences really look like seashells. Plant height is 50-100 cm.

Cosmea Rainbow Iridescence produces large (10-12 cm), double flowers of all possible colors for cosmea (white, pink, red, burgundy). Plant height 120 cm.

Cosmea sensation produces flowers 7-10 cm in size, plain or multi-colored. The plants are tall, up to 120 cm high. The variety is characterized by early flowering.

Of the new varieties, the most interesting are:

Cosmea Terry button forms densely double flowers 7-10 cm in size, single or multi-colored (white, pink, burgundy). Plant height is about 80 cm.

Cosmea Orange with double flowers reaching a diameter of 7 cm of juicy bright orange color. Plant height up to 100 cm.

Cosmea Pikoti has an unusual coloring. The flowers are white, 10 cm in size. Along the edges of the petals there is a carmine-red border, giving the flowers a spectacular appearance. The height of the bushes is 80 cm.

Cosmea Pink Valley with double flowers with a diameter of about 10 cm, pale pink, which are distinguished by their unusual lush shape. Bushes up to 75 cm high.

Cosmea Sweet Dreams has large white flowers with soft pink petals at the base. Plant height up to 110 cm.

External description of the plant

Cosmea (Asteraceae family) is an annual plant. The bush is spreading, sparse, reaches a height of 1.0 - 1.5 m. The most widespread in cultivation is double-pinnate cosmos with openwork leaves. The inflorescences are simple, with one row of petals (rarely slightly double), 5 - 8 cm in size. The petals of the corolla are painted in white, pink and red tones. Blooms for a long time (from July to October). Faded flowers do not spoil the decorative appearance of the plant.

Used for planting in small areas, in ridges, mixborders, in groups in combination with decorative foliage plants.

Description and care

Cosmea (Cosmos) is a common plant of the Asteraceae family, which came to us from Mexico, Brazil and Central America. For a long time, the plant was not perceived as flowers, considering it an ordinary grass. But thanks to the work of breeders, it was possible to develop varieties that now decorate gardens and city flower beds with a riot of colors throughout the summer.

There is a popular name for cosmos - “disheveled young lady”, which was given to the flower because of its appearance: thin curly foliage resembles disheveled curls, the tips of which are dotted with bright inflorescences.

There are annual and perennial species of cosmos. In total there are about 25 varieties of this flower, but the ones that have taken root the best and are popular among us are the sulfur-yellow cosmos and the double-pinnate cosmos. Regardless of the species, the plant loves light, but it takes root best and enjoys lush flowering longer if the flower is planted in partial shade.

For planting, you should choose light, breathable soils. Cosmos can be planted with seeds or seedlings. The first option is suitable for the most common simple varieties. They are sown directly into the ground in April-May, when the ground has already warmed up sufficiently. After two to three weeks, seedlings appear, which, when they reach 5 cm, must be thinned out.

Selected hybrid varieties are grown through seedlings. Plants planted in this way begin flowering in the second half of July. Cosmea, which was sown directly into the ground, blooms in August. To prevent the flower from losing its decorative properties, it is necessary to remove the wilted inflorescences. Cosmea of ​​any type is watered until it forms into an adult plant. Further moderate watering is carried out if necessary, that is, during dry summers and lack of precipitation.

This is an unpretentious plant, resistant to cold and drought. Photos of cosmos flowers will allow you to appreciate the beauty of the flower and understand the reasons for its popularity in landscape design and arrangement of personal plots and flower beds.

Planting and care

Cosmea is sown not only in boxes, but also in open ground. In any case, whether you plant seedlings or sow immediately, this must be done in late April to mid-May, since at this time the ground has already warmed up enough and the plant will have time to bloom in time.

Cosmea is sown not only in boxes, but also in open ground

Planted like this:

• remove weeds from the required area, clear the surface of debris, and dig up;
• add compost to the soil;
• if you plant seeds, then just like in a box, you do not need to cover them with soil, you just need to press them a little into the ground;
• if ready-made seedlings are planted (it is better to do this in June), then maintain a distance of 30–40 cm;
• after planting, water the area;
• In two weeks the plant will sprout, as soon as it grows by 10 cm, you can thin it out at a distance of 30–40 cm.

Planting and caring for cosmos is very pleasant, because after it begins to bloom, the garden area noticeably comes to life, you just can’t help but like this simple flower - it’s easy to plant, care is also not difficult.

Feeding: the first feeding is carried out before the formation of buds, the second feeding - during the formation of buds, the third - at the very beginning of flowering.

Cosmos flower will decorate your garden

If your bush has grown densely, but there are practically no flowers, this is the first sign that you have overdone it with the amount of fertilizer.

Watering should be regular, but moderate; do not over-water the flower. In order for flowers to always bloom well and retain their decorative properties, it is necessary to cut off faded inflorescences.

If the height of the flower is too large, then it is necessary to build a support and tie the plant to it. If this is not done, then under its own weight it will begin to disintegrate and turn not into a beautiful decoration, but into a mountain of unknown purpose, since it will completely lose its pleasant appearance.

Cosmea can also be pruned so that the flowers do not grow too much and lose their appearance.

In any case, once you plant it, you will not regret it, since it can decorate your garden with its smell and flowering.

Cosmea in landscape design

Cosmos has a wide range of uses in garden design. For many, the plant brings back memories from childhood, so it is used everywhere as a decoration. It can be used to decorate flower beds of any type, hedges, fences; the plant looks good along the walls in mixborders. Cosmea goes well with marigolds, cloves (Turkish), phlox, chamomile, verbena and sage.

They use space to create screens, groups on lawns, as well as high edgings. They are also good on windows, balconies and terraces.

The combination of beauty, benefits and ease of cultivation makes the plant very attractive, which is why cosmos is so popular. Grow your annual cosmos flowers; planting and caring for them is easy, and photos of their compositions will warm your soul even in winter.

Cosmos care

Cosmea is unpretentious to growing conditions. Care comes down mainly to loosening the soil and weeding. Watering is carried out only at the beginning of the growing season and during drought. So, when dry, hot weather sets in, plants are watered after 10 days.

Tall varieties are often tied to a support. The support can be stakes driven into the soil and neighboring plants.

In adult plants, pinch the tips of the shoots (this promotes the development of lateral branches) and remove faded inflorescences. Cosmea can be cut. These techniques improve the appearance of plants, allow you to obtain compact bushes and enhance flowering.

If you wish, you can prepare the seeds yourself. For this purpose, inflorescences are preserved on plants. As the basket matures, the seeds acquire a dark color. At this time, seed collection begins, because later the achene opens and self-seeding occurs.

However, it should be borne in mind that cosmos is a typical cross-pollinated plant. Therefore, do not try to preserve the varietal plants you love, but buy ready-made seeds from well-known seed producing companies. From your seeds you will get plants that are clearly different from the original ones, with smaller flowers and a predominant pinkish-lilac color. Although, if this is a varietal plant and not a hybrid, then you can try to collect your own seeds with exactly the same characteristics as those of the manufacturer. But that is another story…

An important advantage of cosmos is the absence of diseases and insect pests. That is why, and also because these flowers attract beneficial insects, cosmos simply must settle in the countryside

Perennial cosmos (also known as chocolate or blood red) when grown in open ground requires obligatory shelter.

As you can see, everything is very simple. Cosmea is not at all a difficult plant to grow. This open-ground herbaceous plant is unpretentious to soils and growing conditions and requires minimal care. So, growing cosmos from seeds is possible not only for a novice gardener, but also for children.

Create a beautiful garden easily!

Best wishes, Gardensha

Cosmea in the flowerbed

If you have never grown flowering plants before, then this flower is perfect for beginners. It needs to be watered quite abundantly - up to 50 liters for one bush - once a week. Be sure to clear the soil around the cosmos of weeds until the plant grows and gets stronger, and loosen the soil. To give the bush a beautiful shape, it can be trimmed periodically. Please note that the soil must have plenty of drainage.

This amazingly beautiful “space” will decorate any flower bed. Depending on the type and variety, it can reach a height of 50 to 150 centimeters. The diameter of the flowers sometimes reaches 12 centimeters, which makes them very noticeable. Especially on the delicate greenery of leaves and trunks.

Cosmea: planting and care in the garden

This video shows what a cosmos looks like in a garden plot during the flowering period.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=3oAgg-vYIps

A huge number of varieties and types of cosmos allow you to create an amazing landscape. By choosing low-growing varieties with abundant greenery, you can give the site the appearance of a meadow. Looking at such beauty, it’s as if you find yourself in children’s fairy tales. If you want to place other flowers nearby, then calmly plant echinacea, marigolds or phlox.

If you want the plant to bloom as much and as long as possible, it can be sprayed with special compounds for plants that bloom. For example, a drug such as “Bud” not only activates flowering and growth, but also promotes the “survival” of seedlings.

Spraying with this preparation should be done three times per season: in the first days after planting, during the period when the flower forms buds and during the most active phase of flowering.

Cosmea. Planting and care in open ground: terry beauty

Cosmos originally grew in the subtropical and tropical zones, but in our climate a species such as terry cosmos has taken root well. This variety is bred artificially, the flowers are large, there is a wide variety of colors. This name was given due to the fact that the petals are arranged not in one row, as in other varieties, but in two, or even three. Thanks to this, it looks like a lush dahlia. The most common is the Golden Valley. Flowering continues almost until the beginning of November. Very often, such plants decorate not only garden and summer cottage plots, but also city parks, flower beds and streets. Looks great as a decoration for borders and paths, and is also ideal for decorating a not very aesthetically pleasing fence. And the most interesting thing is that after three years of planting the Mexican aster in the same place, it will begin to sow itself. Another main feature of terry cosmos is that the collected seeds will be the same color as the parent, that is, they will not change their color, as happens with other species.

A wide variety of colors allows you to choose the one you like. If you are a connoisseur of red shades, then Cranberry Click, Red Pipe or Diablo are what you need

But lovers of warm yellow-orange shades should pay attention to Golden Valley

Reproduction occurs both by seeds and seedlings. You can decide for yourself which method is convenient for you.

A plant such as “cosmos” is very resistant to various diseases and pests. The only ones that can cause trouble are slugs or snails. You will have to periodically inspect the flowers and, if necessary, remove them manually.

Botanical description

The cosmos plant reaches a height of 50 to 150 cm. Its stems are thin, flexible, erect and branched. The leaves are opposite, twice dissected, openwork, graceful. Inflorescences-baskets, similar to daisies, up to 12 cm in diameter, grow singly or are collected in loose corymbose panicles. The middle flowers in the baskets are small, tubular, yellowish, and the reed flowers are large, purple, pink, red, white, golden yellow.

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You can often read or hear the expressions “terry cosmos flower” or “growing terry cosmos,” but this does not mean that we are talking about any particular species, it’s just that in recent years, breeders have developed double varieties of plant species that have long been cultivated. The fruit of cosmos is a dark yellow, gray or brown achene. Cosmos seeds remain viable for two to three years.

Cosmos flowers plant features

The flower grows in height, depending on the variety, 30-150 cm, and has flexible, branched stems. Its leaves have a very original shape, openwork.

The inflorescences are somewhat reminiscent of daisies and grow mostly singly. They are quite complex and consist of several flowers.

Petals can have completely different shades, in particular:

• red;
• orange;
• pink;
• yellow.

White flowers are also found.

The petals are somewhat elongated, ideal oval in shape with a slight dissection. The central flowers are made in the form of tubes, arranged in a bunch.

There are one or 2-3 inflorescences on the stem.

The fruit is a capsule, reaching a size of 1 cm, where the seeds are located.

The flowering period is quite long, until the onset of the first prolonged frost.

What varieties of cosmos are there?

The warmer the climate, the more refined and original varieties of cosmos can be grown. In the northern regions, only frost-resistant varieties can be bred.

Among the most interesting and famous varieties are the following:

1. Terry. Reed petals are arranged in several rows. As a result of this, the flower turns out to be very lush, reminiscent of a dahlia. Such inflorescences make the branches somewhat heavier, therefore their stems are more durable. Nowadays you can very easily grow many varieties of terry cosmos yourself. They are characterized by a variety of colors and large sizes.
2. The sulfur-yellow variety, unlike other varieties, is quite heat-loving, and the outer petals are arranged in 2 rows.
3. Double pinnate. It is distinguished by thin, needle-like leaves. Color green or olive. Height up to 150 cm.
4. Sulfur yellow. This species loves warmth. The color is dark green. It can reach 1.5 m in height.
5. Blood red. An unusual variety with red-burgundy buds. Has a chocolate smell.

Blood red cosmos

Terry cosmos

Flower growers are also attracted to many other varieties that have luxurious chamomile inflorescences.

Cosmea

Cosmea sunny orange is one of the most popular annual plants among gardeners. It is very unpretentious and can also become a wonderful decoration for any flower garden, thanks to its rounded inflorescences of sunny orange color.

This flower has powerful herbaceous, highly branched shoots, reaching a height of 30-120 cm. The leaves of the plant are very graceful, lacy and decorative. The inflorescences are semi-double baskets of bright orange color, up to 6 cm in diameter.

Cosmea is a fairly cold-resistant plant that prefers well-lit areas. It is drought-resistant and grows well in any soil. However, in order to achieve more abundant and long-lasting flowering, provide your cosmos with loose and nutritious soil. Under normal conditions, this garden flower blooms from June until frost.

Cosmos propagates by seeds that remain viable for 5 years. Its seeds are elongated and quite large. You can sow seeds in the ground in the spring, after the soil has warmed up, or before winter. It is better to plant them in nests, 2–3 pieces. in one hole, placing the “nests” at a distance of 20 to 40 cm. As soon as the young plants have 2 true leaves, they need to be thinned out, leaving only 1 seedling in the nest.

With the seedling propagation method, seeds are sown in containers in early April, 2–3 pieces each. into each pot. Then they are placed in a bright and cool place (optimal temperature is from 15 to 17 ° C). The first shoots usually appear in the interval from 8 to 12 days. Seedlings can be pinched to enhance branching as soon as the plants have 5–7 leaves, but this slightly delays the flowering time. Plants can be planted in a permanent place as early as May, when they reach a height of 7-10 cm.

Caring for cosmos is quite simple. An excess of organic fertilizers is harmful to them, leading to the formation of powerful bushes, to the detriment of flowering. For good growth and abundant flowering, it is necessary to feed adult plants with a complete complex fertilizer.

The first feeding should be carried out during the budding period. For this purpose in 10 l. dilute 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. l. any organic fertilizer and nitrophoska. They consume about 3-4 liters. for an area equal to 1 sq. m.

The next feeding occurs at the beginning of flowering. Dilute in 10 l. water 1 l. mushy mullein, as well as 1 tbsp. l. nitrophoska. One adult bush (or 1 sq. m.) requires 8-10 liters. prepared solution. Adult plants need to be watered once a week, but quite generously.

When grown through seedlings, cosmos blooms starting in July, and when sown directly into the ground, flowering begins in August and continues until October. To maintain decorative properties, regularly pick off faded flowers. Cosmea is often grown in groups, used to decorate flower beds and flower beds. If they are planted separately, the distance between them should be 12-15 cm.

Tall plants must be tied up. When planting in groups, you need to slightly increase the distance so that the plant stands stronger. However, even in this case, the bush is still covered with twine, attaching it to a peg driven near the plant (to support a powerful bush).

Reproduction methods

The perennial Mexican aster is propagated by tubers and cuttings. The annual plant is grown from seeds using seedlings and non-seedling methods.

Non-seedling option

This method is the simplest and least time-consuming, and if the seeds have good germination, it is a win-win. The sequence of sowing seeds in a garden bed outdoors is as follows:

• in the spring (late April - early May), when frost is no longer a threat, the flower bed is dug up for sowing seeds, and the weeds are carefully selected. In the northern regions, planting begins in early June;
• Make small holes, maintaining a distance between them of approximately 35 cm. Place 3 seeds in each hole;
• The seeds are sprinkled with soil, compacting it slightly so that it does not blow away with the wind. Watered.

By the end of July, cosmos will delight with its first flowers.

"Chamomile" can reproduce independently. To do this, leave a few faded flowers on the plant. Ripe seeds are spilled onto the ground. In the spring, when the earth is warmed by the sun, they rise again.

If you need to collect seeds for growing seedlings, you need to put gauze bags on the buds. The ripening of the seeds will be indicated by their changed color: they will become darker in color. It is worth considering the following feature of the plant - cosmos is a cross-pollinated crop. Therefore, the collected seeds lose their original varietal characteristics. Store-bought seeds will guarantee the color range you expected during the flowering period.

Seedling option

The method is more troublesome, but has an undeniable advantage - cosmos blooms much earlier than when sown directly into the ground.

Sowing period: end of March – beginning of April. Seed material is sown in containers, scattered over the surface of the soil and slightly pressed. You can not deepen the seeds, but cover them with a thin soil substrate on top. Water with a spray bottle.

Place the container in a warm place: optimal temperature is + 20 degrees. In a week or two, shoots will appear. Next, you should thin out the plants if the seedlings are thickened, leaving a ten-centimeter distance between the seedlings. You can plant seedlings; cosmos easily takes root after transplantation.

A common method of growing is in separate small pots. In this case, three seeds are sown in the hole in the center.

In early June, seedlings are planted in an outdoor flower bed. The seedlings quickly take root and grow. Cosmos will delight you with its luxurious blooms already in early July. In order for the “chamomile” to bush, the top is pinched at a height of 50 cm.

Tall hybrids need to provide support in advance - slats or rods. An adult cosmos needs to be tied around a support to prevent it from falling onto the ground from the wind.

Growing cosmos from seeds

Sowing

Seeds are used to propagate cosmos. At the same time, such a crop can be grown through seedlings or seeds are sown directly in open soil.

At what time is sowing done in open soil?

Sowing seeds in open soil is done at the beginning of the spring period, immediately after all the snow has melted. Seeds should be distributed over the soil surface in nests consisting of 3 or 4 pieces, and the distance between them should be from 0.3 to 0.4 meters. Seeds should be planted shallowly in the soil (no deeper than 10 mm); to do this, just lightly tap them with your hand. Flowers grown in this way begin to bloom in July or in the first days of August. Sowing seeds in open soil can also be done in late autumn before winter. Also, this flower crop can reproduce by self-sowing; in spring, you only need to thin out the emerging seedlings.

Cosmos seedlings

Growing this flowering plant through seedlings is distinguished by its reliability and faster results. Seeds are sown for seedlings in March or April. Seeds that are sensitive to light must be distributed over the surface of the soil mixture; they are not sprinkled on top, but only slightly pressed into the substrate. Then the crops must be moistened, and then the container is covered with film or glass on top and placed in a well-lit place. The optimal temperature for seed germination is from 18 to 20 degrees. If everything is done correctly, the first seedlings should appear 7–15 days after sowing. If the seedlings grow too densely, they will need thinning, and the distance between the plants should be from 10 to 15 centimeters. Instead of thinning, seedlings can be pruned. After picking, the cosmos is placed in a cooler place (from 16 to 18 degrees). To avoid picking, sowing seeds can be done in individual cups.

Growing cosmos through seedlings

To grow a plant through seedlings, you need to go through three stages: prepare the seeds and soil, sow and provide proper care for the seedlings, and transplant into open ground.

Preparing seeds and substrate

Already in August, you can collect plant seeds weekly. To obtain seeds, select the largest flowers and tie the buds with gauze, then the seeds will not fall to the ground when ripe. The fact that the seeds are ripe is indicated by their color - it becomes darker. Cosmos seeds do not spoil for up to two years. But you need to know that during the flowering process the plant cross-pollinates with others, so the variety that grows may not be the same as the one that was planted before. The soil for seedlings must be well loosened, slightly fertilized and wet.

Did you know? One gram of cosmos seeds contains about 200 pieces.

It should be noted that the plant can reproduce well by self-sowing, scattering ripened seeds, so next season you can again get variegated beauty.

Sowing and caring for seedlings

To plant seedlings, 3 pieces of plant seeds are planted in small pots. The seedlings need to be watered a little, not covered with soil, but covered with film, and placed in a warm room (not lower than +18 °C) with good sunlight. Seedlings should be watered no more than once a week, but generously. After germination, the seedlings will begin to produce leaves, then the seedlings can be transplanted into a larger container so that the roots can develop freely. If you want the bush to grow to the sides, the top of the stem can be cut off after the leaves appear.

Planting seedlings in open ground

Seedlings should be planted in open ground when they reach 6-10 cm in height. You should not keep the seedlings at home for too long; they may not tolerate transplanting into open ground. In order to plant seedlings, you need to dig holes about 30 cm each a few days before planting. It is necessary to plant seedlings in the evening. Before planting, the holes are watered abundantly. It is better to tie up those plant varieties that are tall, so that the thin stems can withstand the wind. Cosmea is an unpretentious plant that even an inexperienced gardener can grow. It will delight you with its colorful beauty all summer, and even at the beginning of autumn.

Caring for cosmos seedlings at home

Under favorable conditions, cosmos seeds germinate in 1-1.5 weeks. Therefore, for friendly and good seedlings, you need to provide all the necessary growing conditions. But proper care is also important at the stage of growing cosmos seedlings before planting in the ground.

Care must be taken according to the following algorithm:

• Before sprouting, all containers must be covered with film or a lid; they must be ventilated briefly every day, removing the cover. After the cosmos has emerged, the covers and films are removed forever.
• Particular attention should be paid to temperature conditions. In warm conditions, cosmos seeds germinate less well, so for successful germination you need to ensure a temperature of +15-18°C. This t must be maintained in the future.

• Immediately after sowing, you need to place the containers on the sunniest windowsill; the seeds need light to germinate. In the future, adequate lighting is also necessary. If there is not enough sun, it is recommended to turn on phytolamps.
• If you planted several seeds in one cup, then when the shoots appear, you will need to leave one of the strongest seedlings and pinch the rest at the base.

• Watering cosmos seedlings is carried out carefully as the top layer of soil dries. Do not allow the earthen clod to dry out or pour too much soil (otherwise you can provoke mold and fungal diseases).
• When growing cosmos seedlings, it is necessary to adjust the growing conditions: improve lighting, lower the temperature. As a last resort, you can pinch the top, but this procedure will delay flowering.

Planting cosmos in open ground

What time to plant

Cosmos seedlings are planted in open ground in the first days of June, while returning spring frosts should be left behind, and the height of the plants should reach 60 mm. You can plant them in mid-May, but only if there are definitely no more frosts. The area suitable for planting should be well lit and also protected from the wind. The soil should be well-drained, moderately nutritious and slightly acidic. If the soil is overly nutritious, the green mass will grow intensively to the detriment of flowering.

Landing Features

After warm weather sets in outside (from mid-May to the first days of June), it is necessary to prepare not very deep holes in the area chosen for planting, using a pattern of 0.3x0.3 m or 0.35x0.35 m (for tall varieties). The prepared holes must be filled with water. When the seedlings are planted and the holes are filled with soil, the plants will need to be watered again. Tall varieties, as a rule, require a garter to a support, so after planting, a long rail or rod should be installed near each bush. After the height of the bush is half a meter, it is necessary to pinch the tops of the stems, as a result of which the plant will become more lush and beautiful. Cosmos grown from seedlings begin to bloom in June or mid-July.

How to care

The Mexican aster is not capricious in care. She is not afraid of temporary drought and can easily withstand slight frosts.

Soil selection

It is better to grow cosmos on ordinary sandy soil, to which it is advisable to add leaf humus.

Location and lighting

The flower loves sunlight, which determines the abundance of flowering. The more sun, the more flowers. It also grows well in the shade. In a shady area, cosmos will surprise with its large openwork leaves, and fewer buds will form than in the sun.

Temperature, humidity, watering

Cosmea is a drought-resistant crop. It blooms earlier in dry summers than in rainy ones. During the rainy season, the plant grows foliage and produces fewer flowers.

In the absence of rain for a long time, the flower must be watered once every seven days. Watering should be plentiful - two or three buckets for each bush. After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil and weed the weeds.

Fertilizers and fertilizers

During the season, cosmos requires three feedings - during the period of active growth, before setting buds and before flowering. Fertilizers for flowering plants are what a flowering crop needs. You can spray the foliage with the drug “Bud” to make flowering more luxuriant.

If cosmos grows on fertile soil, there is no need to feed it. “Overfeeding” will lead to excessive leaf growth and the inflorescences will be crushed.

Transfer

Flower culture is very good at changing places. When the crops thicken, some of the seedlings can be transplanted to a new club.

Trimming

The flower needs pruning only if the cosmos has grown greatly and has lost its decorative effect. To restore the bushes' attractiveness and compactness, the cosmos needs to be trimmed. The flowering will not stop. It is advisable to remove faded flowers.

Winter care

Preparation for winter is necessary only for perennial varietal varieties of cosmos in order to preserve them until the next warm season.

After flowering, the bushes are pruned, leaving stems 15 cm long. Before the onset of frost, they are covered with spruce branches.