When is the best time to plant cockscomb? A detailed explanation of planting time
Cockscomb, also known as jigonghua, jijihua and so on, is a flower famous for its flower shape resembling a rooster's comb, with colors such as red, purplish red and yellow. It is often seen in gardens and flowerbeds in daily life, and has a good decorative effect on the living environment. It is also a medicinal herb with good effects on diseases such as hematemesis, hemafecia and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Let's take a look at the planting time of cockscomb together below!
Cockscomb growth habits
Cockscomb is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Celosia in the Amaranthaceae family. According to different inflorescence forms, the varieties can be divided into broom cockscomb, face cockscomb, mandarin duck cockscomb, tassel cockscomb and so on. It likes a warm and dry climate, fears drought, likes sunlight, is not tolerant of waterlogging, not tolerant of frost, and not tolerant of barren soil. It likes loose, fertile and well-drained soil, and cultivation in well-drained sandy loam is better. It is a new way to develop courtyard economy at present.
Cockscomb planting time
The planting time of cockscomb is generally from April to May, usually by sowing, that is, a few days around Qingming Festival. During these days, the temperature is 20 degrees to 25 degrees, which is very suitable for the survival of cockscomb seeds.
Cockscomb propagation methods
1. Seed sowing: Cockscomb propagation commonly uses the seed propagation method. At Qingming, choose a good plot, apply sufficient base fertilizer, plow fine and harrow evenly, level and make beds, evenly scatter the seeds on the bed surface, cover the seeds slightly, firm the soil and water thoroughly. Generally, at a temperature of 15-20°C, seedlings can emerge in 10-15 days. For summer sowing after Mangzhong, seize the dry period to eliminate weeds, 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 high, thin them according 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 high, 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.