How to Grow Cockscomb from Seed? A Detailed Guide to the Latest Planting Methods

Cockscomb is an annual herbaceous plant that blooms in summer and autumn. Its flowers are mostly red and shaped like a cockscomb, hence the name cockscomb. It originated in Africa, tropical America and India. It likes plenty of sunlight, heat and humidity, cannot tolerate frost, and prefers loose, fertile and well-drained soil. It has high ornamental and medicinal value. Now let us take a look at how to grow cockscomb from seed!

Harvesting Cockscomb Seeds

Cockscomb seeds generally gradually turn black and mature around White Dew. The flower spikes can be cut off in time and placed in a ventilated spot to dry and thresh. The flowers and seeds are managed separately and used separately as medicine. Generally, the yield per mu is 300 jin of seeds and about 1000 jin of flowers. When drying the flowers, take them out early and bring them in late so they are not exposed to nighttime dew, to avoid deterioration and reduced medicinal efficacy. The seeds should be winnowed clean, put in bags and stored to prevent mildew and insect infestation.

How to Grow Cockscomb from Seed

1. Sowing seeds: Cockscomb is commonly propagated by seed. Around Qingming, choose a good plot of land, apply sufficient base fertilizer, plow finely and harrow evenly, level it and make beds, scatter the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover the seeds lightly, firm the soil and water thoroughly. Generally, at a temperature of 15-20°C, seedlings emerge in 10-15 days. For summer sowing after Mangzhong, seize the dry period to clear the stubble, and it can also be intercropped with white peony, tree peony or other crops, using one jin of seed per mu.

2. Seedling management: When the seedlings are 2 cun tall, thin them to a row spacing of 1 chi and a plant spacing of 8 cun. The thinned seedlings can be transplanted to other fields, and after transplanting they must be watered. During the seedling stage, be sure to weed and loosen the soil. When it is not too dry, water as little as possible. When the seedlings are about 1 chi tall, apply a topdressing once. After the rows close, appropriately remove old leaves. When flowering and heading, if the weather is dry, water appropriately, and in the rainy season strictly prevent water accumulation in low-lying areas. After heading, the flower buds in the leaf axils on the lower part can be removed to help nutrients concentrate on the growth of the main spike at the top.

Management and Care of Cockscomb

1. Cockscomb should be planted in sandy loam with high, dry terrain, full sun, fertility and good drainage.

2. During the growing period, cockscomb should not be watered too much. After flowering, control watering. Water appropriately when the weather is dry, and drain promptly on rainy days.

3. Starting from the seedling stage, all axillary buds of cockscomb should be removed.

4. After the cockscomb has formed, apply a dilute compound liquid fertilizer once every 10 days (2-3 times).