How to grow cockscomb? Mastering these methods is all you need

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 flower beds in daily life and serves as a great ornamental accent to the living environment. So how do you grow cockscomb?

I. How to grow cockscomb?

1. Soil: Cockscomb is not strict about its environment, but it grows best in sandy loam with good drainage. If drainage is poor, cockscomb is prone to root rot.

2. Watering: During the growing period, cockscomb should not be watered too much, and watering should also be controlled after flowering. Water appropriately during dry weather, and drain promptly during rainy days.

3. Fertilizing: Starting from the seedling stage, all axillary buds should be removed. After the comb forms, apply a dilute compound liquid fertilizer once every 10 days.

4. Light: Cockscomb prefers a warm climate, likes sunlight, and is averse to cold. If grown in shade, the inflorescence will be small and its ornamental value will decrease. ***The suitable growing temperature is 18-28°C. When the temperature is low, growth is slow, and after winter begins, the plant dies.

5. Harvesting: Cockscomb is generally harvested around White Dew, when the seeds gradually turn black and mature. The flower stalks can be cut off promptly and placed in a ventilated area to dry and thresh. The flowers and seeds should be 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 early and bring them in late, and do not let them be exposed to night dew, so as to avoid deterioration and reduced medicinal efficacy. The seeds should be winnowed clean, bagged, and stored to prevent mildew and insects.

II. What should be noted when growing cockscomb?

1. It is suitable to plant in sandy soil: Although cockscomb does not have many requirements for its growing environment, in order for it to grow and bloom more vigorously, it is best to plant it in sandy loam with high, dry terrain, full sun, fertility, and good drainage.

2. Pay attention to light during the growing period: Cockscomb needs sufficient light during the growing period, ensuring at least 4 hours of sunlight exposure every day.

3. Ensure sufficient water in summer: Although cockscomb likes dry air and is averse to waterlogging, its branches are thick and its leaves are abundant, and it consumes a large amount of water during the growing period, so it must be watered sufficiently in hot summer.

4. Control the amount of watering: During the care of cockscomb, excess water should also be prevented. In continuous rainy weather, potted flowers should be moved indoors, and for plants grown in the ground, attention should be paid to drainage. Watering should be moderate, otherwise root rot easily occurs.

III. When does cockscomb bloom?

Cockscomb is an annual herbaceous plant. It likes a warm and dry climate, but is not drought-tolerant and is also afraid of 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 cockscomb is an annual plant, it grows very quickly, and the flowers will bloom 2-3 months after sowing. The flowering period is from July to October, which means cockscomb blooms in summer.