How to grow cockscomb from seed? A detailed planting guide

Cockscomb (Celosia) is an annual herbaceous plant that blooms in summer and autumn. Its flowers are mostly red and shaped like a rooster's comb, which is why it is called cockscomb. It originated in Africa, tropical America and India. It likes full sunlight, heat and humidity, cannot tolerate frost, and prefers loose, fertile, well-drained soil. It has high ornamental and medicinal value. Let's take a look below 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 promptly 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, put them out in the morning and bring them in at night; do not let them be exposed to night dew, so they do not deteriorate and lose medicinal potency. The seeds must be winnowed clean and stored in bags to prevent mold and insect damage.

How to grow cockscomb from seed

1. Sowing seeds: Cockscomb is commonly propagated by seed. Around Qingming, choose a good plot, apply plenty of base fertilizer, plow fine and harrow evenly, level and make beds, spread 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 stubble; it can also be intercropped with white peony, tree peony or other crops, using 1 jin of seed per mu.

2. Seedling management: 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 they must be watered after transplanting. 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. In the rainy season, strictly prevent water accumulation in low-lying areas. 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.

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