How to Sow and Propagate Cockscomb? A Detailed Guide to the Method

Cockscomb flowers are mostly red and are a very distinctive garden ornamental flower, now cultivated all over the world. Cockscomb can not only be cultivated but also has high medicinal value; growing cockscomb by hand is not difficult, and sowing is the method that can be used for propagation.

Cockscomb

Cockscomb can be propagated by the seed method. Around Qingming, choose a good plot, apply plenty of base fertilizer, plough fine and harrow evenly, level and make beds, scatter the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover the seeds lightly and firmly, 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 spell to clear stubble, and it can also be intercropped with white peony, tree peony or other crops, using one jin of seed per mu. When 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, and when it is not too dry, water as little as possible. When seedlings are about 1 chi tall, apply a top dressing once. After the rows close, remove old leaves appropriately; when flowering and heading, if the weather is dry, water appropriately, and in the rainy season strictly prevent waterlogging in low-lying spots. After heading, the flower buds in the leaf axils of the lower part can be removed to help nutrients concentrate on the growth of the main spike at the top.

How to Grow Cockscomb - Cockscomb Propagation Methods

Cockscomb is a very common herbaceous plant. Many people who are especially fond of cockscomb choose to place it indoors at home or in the courtyard. Let us take a look below at how to grow cockscomb.

I. Basic Information on Cockscomb

Cockscomb is also called cockscomb flower, cockscomb crest flower and so on, and comes from an annual herbaceous flower of the genus Celosia in the Amaranthaceae family. Cockscomb originated in India, originally named "Boluoshe flower", and has been cultivated in China for over a thousand years. Its branches are spreading, its flower colors are vivid, and the flower head closely resembles a rooster's comb; it gets its name because the flower shape resembles a cockscomb. Its flowers are rich in color and gorgeous, with inflorescences twisted and folded. The flower colors include red, purplish red, light red, yellow, white, yellow-green, light yellow and so on. The Song dynasty poet Zhao Qi once wrote the fine line "So splendid it seems about to stir, lacking only a crow at the fifth watch", praising the vivid and expressive elegance of cockscomb. Cockscomb varieties include dwarf-stem types and tall-stem types, and there are two flowering types: early-flowering and late-flowering. The flowering period is usually August--October. Cockscomb withstands wind and defies frost, its flower posture does not diminish and its color does not fade, and it is regarded as a symbol of love that never fades or love that does not change.

In Europe and America, the first flower given to a sweetheart was the fiery red cockscomb, implying eternal love. Legend has it that a big rooster fought with a centipede; they lunged back and forth, up and down, struggling from evening until dawn. The rooster pecked a hole in the centipede's head and it died, but the rooster also fell to the ground and died of exhaustion. The owner buried the rooster on the mountaintop. Later, in the place where the rooster was buried, a flower grew, and that flower looked exactly like a cockscomb, just like a rooster standing there. People all said that flower had been transformed from the rooster that fought the centipede, so they named it "cockscomb flower".

It is said that even now, wherever cockscomb is planted, there are no poisonous insects such as centipedes. Therefore, in olden times, on children's clothing, whether on upper and lower garments or on shoes and hats, people liked to embroider a rooster, implying that the rooster can peck at and eat all insects and ward off evil and disease. The legend has no basis, but as an ornamental flower, people still like to plant cockscomb in the courtyard to beautify the environment. Moreover, cockscomb is suitable for both ground planting and pot cultivation, is an important flower for autumn flower beds and environmental beautification, and can also be used as a cut flower. The seeds can be used as medicine.

II. Growth Habits

It likes a warm and dry climate, fears drought, likes sunlight, and is not tolerant of waterlogging, but it is not strict about soil requirements; it can generally be grown in ordinary soil in a courtyard. This is a new avenue for developing courtyard economies at present, and people of insight may wish to give it a try. It does not need to be too good; as long as it is sown in the soil, it will do.

III. How to Grow Cockscomb

1. Soil: Cockscomb has certain requirements for soil and is suitable for planting in well-drained, loose and fertile sandy loam. If drainage is poor, it is prone to root rot.

2. Watering: Although cockscomb likes dry air and avoids waterlogging, its branches are thick and its leaves are lush, and it consumes a large amount of water during the growing period, so in hot summer it must be watered sufficiently. At the same time, excessive water must also be prevented; during continuous rainy days, potted flowers should be moved indoors, and for ground-planted flowers, attention should be paid to drainage. Watering should be moderate, otherwise root rot easily occurs.

3. Sunlight: It likes warmth and avoids cold. During the growing period it needs sufficient light, and at least 4 hours of light should be guaranteed each day. If it grows in a shaded place, the inflorescence will be small and its ornamental value will decrease. The most suitable growth temperature is 18--28°C. When the temperature is low, growth is slow, and after winter begins the plants die.

4. Pests: Cockscomb has relatively few pests and diseases. It is prone to damping-off disease at the seedling stage, and during the growing period there is damage from aphids, so control should be noted. If root rot is found, the diseased plants should be pulled out and copper sulfate sprayed for control.

5. Pruning: For dwarf varieties, pinch the growing tips after planting out to promote branching. When used as cut flowers, pinch the growing tips when the plant height is 20--30 cm.

6. Fertilizing: Apply plenty of base fertilizer when sowing, and apply 1--2 times of compound fertilizer before and during the flowering period. The amount of nitrogen fertilizer should not be too much, to prevent excessive growth and lodging.

IV. Cockscomb Propagation Methods

1. Seed propagation method: Around Qingming (because it is outdoors, it is best after there is no frost), choose a good plot, apply plenty of base fertilizer, plough fine and harrow evenly, level and make beds, scatter the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover the seeds lightly with fine soil, firm the soil and water thoroughly, and keep the soil moist; generally at a temperature of 15--20°C, seedlings emerge in 10--15 days.

2. For summer sowing after Mangzhong, sow at a row spacing of 30 cm. When seedlings are 6 cm tall, thin them to a plant spacing of 20 cm. 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, and when it is not too dry, water as little as possible. When seedlings are 30 cm tall, apply a top dressing once. After the rows close, remove old leaves appropriately; when flowering and heading, if the weather is dry, water appropriately, and in the rainy season strictly prevent waterlogging in low-lying spots. After heading, the flower buds in the leaf axils of the lower part can be removed to help nutrients concentrate on the growth of the main spike at the top.

3. Of course, it can also be grown in a greenhouse, as long as attention is paid to humidity and temperature; but plants grown in a greenhouse must, after sprouting and growing four leaves, be taken outside at night to harden off, that is, to let them learn to adapt to the cold environment, otherwise they will grow thin, long and delicate and soon die.

The above is the related introduction in this article. I believe that after reading it you also have a simple understanding of this. If needed, you can continue to follow Yihao Home Network to learn more information.

Cockscomb Propagation Methods - The Uses of Cockscomb

Everyone is surely familiar with cockscomb. Its color is mostly red, and it is planted in many places to beautify the environment, especially now it is used quite a lot in roadside flower beds and community landscaping. Let us take a look below at cockscomb propagation methods and the uses of cockscomb.

Cockscomb Propagation Methods:

1. Seed sowing: Cockscomb is commonly propagated by the seed method. Around Qingming, choose a good plot, apply plenty of base fertilizer, plough fine and harrow evenly, level and make beds, scatter the seeds evenly over the bed surface, cover the seeds lightly and firmly, 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 spell to clear 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 cockscomb 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, and when it is not too dry, water as little as possible. When seedlings are about 1 chi tall, apply a top dressing once. After the rows close, remove old leaves appropriately; when flowering and heading, if the weather is dry, water appropriately, and in the rainy season strictly prevent waterlogging in low-lying spots. After heading, the flower buds in the leaf axils of the lower part can be removed to help nutrients concentrate on the growth of the main spike at the top.

The Uses of Cockscomb:

The uses of cockscomb: 1. Ornamental. The cockscomb inflorescence is red and flat, named for its resemblance to a cockscomb, and enjoys the reputation of "the bird among flowers". It is one of the famous open-ground herbaceous flowers in gardens. The inflorescence is terminal and conspicuous, diverse in shape and color, bright and lively, and has high ornamental value, making it one of the important flower varieties.

The uses of cockscomb: 2. Air purification. Cockscomb has good resistance to sulfur dioxide and hydrogen chloride and can play multiple roles in greening, beautifying and purifying the environment. It is suitable for greening factories and mines, and can be called a popular ornamental flower resistant to polluted environments. Planting cockscomb has a certain effect on improving and purifying the air.