What are the planting methods for potted cosmos?
Although the cosmos plant is relatively tall, its leaf shape looks very elegant, and its flower colors are also very rich. Whether used for landscaping or potted cultivation, it is very beautiful and interesting. So, for home users, growing cosmos as a potted plant is also a good choice. Today, the editor will share with you the planting methods for potted cosmos.
Cosmos can be sown in pots using seeds, but a shallow pot is needed for sowing. For pot sowing, you can use the soaking method to replenish water after sowing, or you can water thoroughly first and then sow. Never water thoroughly after sowing, otherwise when the amount of water is too large, it is easy to wash the seeds in all directions. This not only affects seed germination, but also affects the cultivation of the seedlings.
Moreover, after the seedlings emerge, the cosmos seedlings need to be thinned in time. During this period, water management must be done scientifically to avoid the seedlings being dried out due to lack of water. Usually after 10 days, if the surface nutrient soil becomes dry, water promptly. For watering pot-sown seedlings, generally use a multi-hole watering can to sprinkle water. Just as after sowing, do not use a large flow of water to irrigate directly, to avoid washing the tender roots of the seedlings out of the soil, thereby affecting root growth. By comparison, the soaking method is often more reliable.
When the seedlings have about 4 true leaves, we can choose the right time to transplant them into pots. But before lifting the seedlings for transplanting, it is recommended to water them once. This will make it easier to transplant with a soil ball, and the survival rate is often higher. The seedlings also adapt to the pot more easily and grow better later. And 1-2 weeks after transplanting into pots, in order to strengthen the seedlings, you can apply a nitrogen fertilizer once. Later, you can maintain a frequency of applying it once every 3 weeks to supplement nutrients.
Because the stems of cosmos tend to grow relatively thin and soft, they are prone to lodging. For home potted cultivation, the original author can set up supports in good time to support better growth. And in order to encourage the plant to sprout more side branches and make the plant shape fuller, it is also necessary to pinch the tips multiple times before spring ends. At the same time, this can also achieve the purpose of controlling height and make the plant shape more beautiful.
Many flowers and plants need appropriately strengthened water and fertilizer management during the growing period, but potted cosmos should have water and fertilizer appropriately controlled. Usually, it is only necessary to keep the potting soil slightly moist, so that the plant can grow with abundant flowers and lush leaves. When the summer temperature is too high, especially above 33°C, cosmos often enters a dormant period, during which the plant is basically in a state of stagnant growth. Therefore, at this time, even more attention should be paid to strictly controlling water and fertilizer.
After the flowers fade, the seeds of cosmos gradually mature, and the plant gradually withers. If you need to continue sowing, it is often necessary to harvest the seeds in time when they mature. In late March of the following year, you can sow again to propagate seedlings. If the growing conditions are met, they can usually bloom as scheduled again after 2 months. Of course, we can also use cuttings to propagate young plants. Generally, in the growing period in May, cut relatively robust top branches as cuttings, keep the length at 8-10 cm, and then insert them into the pot. In this way, we can obtain new potted cosmos again.