Celosia spicata Flamingo Feather

Greenhouse Annual

• Flowers in : Summer
• Germination : Easy
• Aftercare : Easy
• Ideal for : Bedding, Conservatories, Dried Flowers
• Height : 30 inches

Description

Without doubt a very exciting find both for bedding and everlasting flowers. Beautiful plants with soft, dense feathery spikes, produced in profusion. It offers fresh shape and colour to cut flower, or everlasting flower arrangements, with 10-13cm (4-5in) flower spikes on 60cm (24in) stems. Excellent as a flowering pot plant. Flowers summer. Height 60-75cm (24-30in).

Sowing Instructions

Sow early spring at 25-28C (75-80F) in a good seed compost, just covering the seed with compost. After sowing place inside a polythene bag and place in a well lit spot out of direct sun-light until germination which usually takes 14-21 days. Keep the soil damp but not wet.

Growing Instructions

When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant at the 2-3 leaf stage and grow on in cooler conditions. Gradually acclimatise to outdoor conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 30cm (12in) apart in a sunny, sheltered spot in rich, well drained soil. Celosias resent root disturbance so transplant with extra care. They can also be grown in the greenhouse as flowering pot plants in 13cm (5in) pots.

Aftercare

To dry, pick when the leaves are dry and the flowers not quite fully open, tie in small bunches and hang upside down in a dry, well ventilated place until quite dry.