How to sow cosmos seeds? Learn the correct sowing method

Cosmos is a plant that people like very much, and many people grow it. Next, let us take a look at how to sow cosmos seeds.

Cosmos is usually propagated by sowing. Sow in spring in April, and it germinates quickly, sprouting 7-10 days after sowing. It can also be propagated by softwood cuttings, which root 15-18 days after cutting.

In late March to early April, sow the seeds in an open-field seedbed. It can also germinate at a relatively low soil temperature of 15°C, but if sown very early, it will grow into a huge plant 2 m tall and will easily lodge due to typhoons or the weight of the plant. There are also early-flowering varieties that bloom 50-70 days after sowing, so sow separately for early blooming and autumn blooming. Cosmos can also be sown in September-October, which is autumn sowing.

How to plant cosmos seeds

1. First, choose soil. Appropriately choose soil from a place where flowers and plants grow luxuriantly; it is generally not too poor, and crush it.

2. First evenly scatter part of the soil into the flowerpot until it is about two-thirds full.

3. Evenly sprinkle the flower seeds onto the soil.

4. Then evenly scatter soil over the flowerpot, covering the seeds to a depth of about 2 cm.

5. Water an appropriate amount and place in a cool, ventilated place. After germination, move to the balcony and water once every two to three days.

Sowing time for cosmos

When blooming in summer is needed, sow from February to March in early spring; it is best to sow under conditions where both temperature and humidity can be controlled. If sowing outdoors, sow in mid-April when the temperature is suitable; when the temperature is suitable, seedlings will emerge in about a week.

The sowing medium should be loose, organic-rich soil, and a certain amount of decomposed organic fertilizer should be applied before sowing. When sowing, mix the seeds evenly with a certain amount of sand and evenly broadcast them onto the seedbed, then cover with about 1 cm of soil. After sowing, keep the soil moist, and it will germinate when the temperature is controlled at around 18°C.

Seedling-stage management of cosmos

When the seedlings grow 4 to 5 true leaves, they can be transplanted into nutrient pots and pinched. During the seedling growth period, no additional topdressing is needed, so as to avoid excessive vegetative growth of branches and leaves that affects flowering.

Growth-period management of cosmos

The cosmos plant is relatively tall, with slender stems and large, beautiful flowers. When encountering wind or other severe weather, it lodges, affecting its ornamental value. Therefore, cosmos needs to be pinched multiple times throughout its growth process, and watering should be reduced. Doing so not only promotes branching but also dwarfs the plant, avoiding lodging during growth.

How to grow cosmos

1. Sowing

Cosmos seeds are the basis of its growth and reproduction. Sow cosmos seeds from April to June each year. There is no need to soak them before sowing; this way the germination rate is higher. Sow 2 seeds every 20-30 cm. After sowing, cover with soil about 0.5 cm thick. Cosmos seeds take 1 week to germinate. When cosmos grows to have 4-6 leaves, cut off the stem tip, so that new shoots can emerge and new flowers can bloom from the sides. For plants grown in the ground or in flowerpots, do not fertilize unless the growing conditions are extremely harsh.

2. Growth

Cosmos loves a warm and cool climate, and cosmos seeds grow best in an environment with sufficient sunlight. Therefore, place the flowerpot in a place with sufficient light for care. For watering, it is also best to use a multi-hole sprinkling can; do not pour with a large flow of water, so as to avoid washing out the newly sprouted seedlings from the seeds. The number of waterings should not be too many; just keep the soil moist.

3. Management

The cosmos stem is relatively thin and prone to lodging, so when sowing cosmos seeds at home, supports can be built, or the plants can be pinched multiple times in late spring and early autumn to promote dense sprouting of branches. This can also inhibit its growth height and keep an upright plant shape. During the growth period of cosmos seeds, fertilizer and water need to be controlled; keeping the soil moist can make cosmos flowers luxuriant. If fertilizer and water are controlled appropriately, flowers can be seen in 12 weeks.

4. Cycle

After the flowers fade and the fruits ripen, the cosmos plant also dies. The cosmos seeds will automatically fall from the plant and sow themselves in the soil, continuing life. Of course, when the fruits mature, you can also pick the cosmos seeds and sow them again the next year for a new round. You can also select a section of a thick, strong top branch and take it for cutting propagation, inserting it into a flowerpot.

The above is all the content I have summarized for you on how to sow cosmos seeds. I hope this article can help everyone. Please also continue to follow us.