Celosia is a flowering herb that belongs to the Amaranth family. The origin of the name is associated with the word "kelos". In Greek, it means "flaming" or "burning." A similar characteristic is really suitable for describing celusion, since its inflorescences during flowering resemble bright and variegated tongues of flame.
Under natural conditions, the plant can be seen in warm climatic latitudes in Africa, America and Asia. In total, there are about 60 garden variations of cellosis: comb, pinnate, spikelet and many others. Most of the varieties bred originate from the first three types.
Description of the celosia plant
Today, breeders have managed to breed annual and perennial flower varieties. Some of them are bush-shaped and can reach a height of one meter. In regions where severe winters prevail, only annuals are suitable for growing. The stems are branched and erect. The leaf blades are alternate, ovate. Inflorescences are collected in spikelets, painted in different shades. Flowering ends with the formation of polyspermous bolls.
Growing cellosis from seeds
Sowing seeds
Breeding of cellosis is carried out by seed cultivation. Before sowing, the material is soaked in water with the addition of Epin and Zircon and left for several hours to soften the seed coat. A favorable time for sowing seeds is considered the beginning of April or March. The soil for planting should be half humus and half vermiculite. Seeds are poured onto the prepared soil in a moderate amount and lightly pressed against the soil, spraying the surface with water from above. For these purposes, it is recommended to use a spray bottle. The seeding containers are covered with plastic wrap and stored on window sills, which are located on the sunny side of the building. It is better to avoid direct rays of the containers, periodically ventilate crops and maintain moisture. To skip the picking step, you can initially plant the seeds in different pots. A week after sowing, the first shoots appear.
Seedlings of celosia
For better development and growth of seedlings, it is necessary to install additional lighting near the containers. A short daylight hours are not enough for young seedlings. If the seeds were planted in groups, it will be necessary to subsequently double-pick. Seedlings, which have 2-3 leaves, are planted in separate containers, observing a distance between them of at least 5 cm.In order for the plants to recover after picking, a certain amount of mineral fertilizers intended for decorative flowers is added to the water for irrigation. After the seedlings grow up a little, they are transferred to individual flowerpots filled with peat and humus soil. Then re-feeding is carried out.
Planting cellosis in open ground
Fortified seedlings can be replanted in late spring.Do not rush, it is better to wait out the night frosts. An illuminated place in the garden, far from drafts, is chosen as a site for growing. Acidic soil must first be diluted with lime. Celosia does not tolerate fresh organic fertilizers well.
The plant is transplanted according to the same principle as many other garden forms. Fragile seedlings are carefully removed together with an earthen clod, trying not to disturb the root system. Specimens of a flower previously dived into pots are allowed to be transferred into the ground with them. Low varieties of celosia should be placed at a distance of 15 to 20 cm from each other; for taller species, leave gaps between the bushes of about 25-30 cm.
Caring for a plant in the garden
It is quite easy to care for the plant while it is growing. However, there are a couple of important points to keep in mind. Firstly, a flower that was grown by a seed method and has been in comfortable home conditions for a long time can die if even minor frosts pass. Secondly, the development of cellosia is inhibited by excessive soil moisture. Watering is carried out during the drought period, when the flower stalks stop forming. Every month it is necessary to carry out additional feeding. In handling nitrogen fertilizers, one should observe the measure, since excess feeding can provoke a riot of foliage and, conversely, oppression of flowering. The area where the flower grows is regularly loosened and weeds are removed from it.
Celosia after flowering
Seed collection
When the flowers begin to fade, they are cut and placed in an empty vase in a room with no light. This way the bouquet dries out faster. Then the seeds are shaken out onto paper, sifted and poured into a box. An easier way is to clip fresh bunches of cellosis upright over a newspaper sheet. When the peduncles are dry, the boxes will open, and ripe seeds will fall from them.
Preparing a plant for wintering
Since only annual varieties survive in our climatic latitudes, after flowering, the bushes are dug out. In the spring, planting is resumed using the seeds collected in the fall. Dried spikelets of the plant go well with other bouquets. To do this, choose the most lush and bright flower stalks, clean the stems of excess leaves and collect a bunch. The cut branches of celosia are stored in a dark, ventilated room, and then transferred to a vase. In winter, such multi-colored bouquets will be an excellent decoration for your home.
Diseases and pests
Young seedlings of celosia are susceptible to blackleg disease, which is caused by increased soil moisture. Signs of the disease are blackening of the stem at the base. To prevent infection of the entire bush, the area around is carefully loosened and sprinkled with wood ash. Watering is temporarily stopped. To treat the plant from aphids, a special solution is used, which consists of 2 tsp. liquid soap, 1 glass of vegetable oil and 2 glasses of water. Spraying is repeated for several days in the evening. Celosia is resistant to the effects of other insects.
Types and varieties of cellosi
Consider several varieties of celosia that are considered the most common among gardeners. Silver celosia is called the leader in horticultural cultivation. It has two types:
Celosia silvery comb - a tall flowering shrub, reaching a height of about 45 cm. Leaves are colored differently. The flowers form large inflorescences. Their shape resembles a scarlet or bright orange cockscomb. Flowering begins in July and lasts until mid-autumn. This type includes varieties:
- Impress - with burgundy flowers and brown leaves;
- Atropurpurea - with a characteristic pinkish stem, pale green leaves and bright pink flowers;
- Imperialis is a low-growing variety of celosia with rich burgundy stems.Its leaf blades are excised with red veins.
Celosia silvery pinnate - also called paniculata. The tops of the bushes can be up to a meter long. However, some representatives of the variety are not so high. The panicles of the plant are colored orange or yellow. All varietal variations have different leaf colors. The flower stalks begin to open in July and decorate the garden for three months. Celosia paniculata varieties:
- Goldfeder - stands out with inflorescences that resemble sparks of a flame;
- Thomsoni Magnifica stems - can grow up to 80 cm. The bushes delight with the beauty of maroon panicles surrounded by a background of light green vegetation;
- Fakelshine is one of the tallest varieties of this species;
- New Onion - differs in lilac leaves and bright sunny spikelets.
Spikelet celosia - the variety is not yet well-known in our regions, but every year its popularity and cultivation in the countryside is increasing. The stems grow in length by 20-120 cm. Its inflorescences are slightly smaller in comparison with other types of celosia. Along with multi-colored specimens, there are absolutely snow-white panicles. Occasionally you can see bushes with unusual coral spikelets. Such a delightful sight will remain in your memory for a long time.
