When Does the Cockscomb Flower Bloom? A Full Analysis of Its Blooming Season and Time
The cockscomb, also known as "laolaihong," generally comes in three colors: red, white and yellow. Because of its medicinal properties, the varieties sold in flower markets are mainly red. So in which season does the cockscomb bloom? Let's take a look together.
The cockscomb is an annual upright herb, 30-80 cm tall. The whole plant is hairless and stout. It has few branches, and the upper part is nearly flat, green or tinged with red, with raised ridges. The leaves are alternate, with a gradually pointed or long-pointed tip, and the base gradually narrows into a stalk with an entire margin. Most of the flowers are borne below the middle; the bracts, bracteoles and perianth segments are dry and membranous, and persistent; the utricle is egg-shaped, splitting open by a lid when ripe, enclosed within the persistent perianth. The seeds are kidney-shaped, black and glossy.
The cockscomb is an annual herbaceous plant that likes a warm, dry climate, but it is not drought-tolerant and also fears waterlogging. It especially loves sunlight, but has low requirements for soil, and can be grown in ordinary soil. Sowing is generally done in April-May each year. Since the cockscomb is an annual plant, it grows quickly, and the flowers will bloom 2-3 months after sowing. From summer all the way to autumn is the blooming period of the cockscomb.
The flower spikes of the cockscomb come in various forms. By form, the cockscomb can be divided into: broom cockscomb, fan cockscomb, mandarin duck cockscomb, tassel cockscomb, etc. By shape, it can be divided into: spherical flower type, feathery flower type, and spear-shaped flower type. Each flower type has its own unique advantages and character. Generally, the blooming period of the cockscomb is July-October, and the fruiting period is September-November.
The cockscomb is sown in April-May. Before sowing, a small amount of fertilizer can be applied to the soil as a base fertilizer. Since the cockscomb seeds are relatively small, when planting we can mix some fine soil with the seeds and sow them together. After sowing, just cover them lightly, then water to keep the soil moist, and then cover the seedbed with a transparent film. No watering is needed during this period, and they will sprout in 7-10 days.
After the seedlings emerge, you can appropriately thin out some of the weaker seedlings. When the seedlings grow to 5-6 cm, they can be transplanted with the soil around their roots. During sowing, the best climate temperature is 20-25°C. Sowing can be done after Qingming and Mangzhong, but be sure to pay attention to regulating the soil temperature.
The flower spikes of the cockscomb come in various forms. By form, the cockscomb can be divided into: broom cockscomb, fan cockscomb, mandarin duck cockscomb, tassel cockscomb, etc. By shape, it can be divided into: spherical flower type, feathery flower type, and spear-shaped flower type. Each flower type has its own unique advantages and character.
Besides its ornamental value, the cockscomb also has very high medicinal value and can treat many diseases, for example: astringing and stopping bleeding, stopping leukorrhea, and stopping dysentery. It is used for vomiting blood, abnormal uterine bleeding, blood in the stool, hemorrhoidal bleeding, reddish-white leukorrhea, and chronic dysentery. The cockscomb can also be made into various medicinal dishes, which have a certain effect on women's diseases.
The above is all the content I have summarized for you about the blooming season of the cockscomb. I hope this article can help everyone. Please also continue to follow us.