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Cut flowers3 varieties
Celosia
Celosia argentea plumosaHeat-loving annual with crested or plumed flower heads that hold well in fresh and dried arrangements.
No photograph yet
Days to maturity
85–95 daysDays to germ.
8–14 daysSpacing
6–12 inHeight
12–48 inSun
Sun,Partial ShadeVase life
7–14 daysHow we grow it
Germination
- Days to germ.
- 8–14 d
- Soil temp
- 70–80 °F
- Depth
- 0.125 in
- Light for germ
- light
Culture
- Days to maturity
- 85–95 d
- Spacing
- 6–12 in
- Height
- 12–48 in
- Sun
- Sun,Partial Shade
- Frost
- No frost tolerance. Thrives in heat. · tender
- Outdoor / direct
- No
Harvest
- Cut stage
- Fresh - Harvest when the flowers are fully developed, and stems are firm at the base of the bloom. Dried - Harvest at the same stage of growth as you would for fresh flowers. Remove all the foliage and hang in a dark, well-ventilated location to dry.
- Vase life
- 7–14 d
- Handling
- Ideal storage temperature is 36-41°F.
Recent field notes
First sign of a blossom.
Only 4 plants made it to this stage.
Transplanted.
Timing · Zone 5a
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sow indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9
Bloom (from indoor)Jul 2 – Sep 17
Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.
Compare in the calendarTrials
Every Celosia sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.Celosia trials- Suits
- PinchEncourages branching and uniform flower size.
- Not for
- SuccessionThey take too long to mature for this to be a good idea.
- Cut-and-Come-AgainThe first blossom is the largest, although it will produce smaller side-blossoms.