Celosia Prestige Scarlet Grower Fact

Celosia Cristata Prestige Scarlet
Cultural Information for: Celosia Prestige Scarlet Annual
Common Name: Celosia
Botanical Name: Celosia cristata
Seed Count: 40,000/ounce 1,400/gram
Optimum Germination Temperature: 70-75 ¡ãF / 21-24 ¡ãC
Optimum Growing Temperature: 65-75 ¡ãF / 19-24 ¡ãC
Plug Stage ¨C 4 weeks
Stage 1 (day 1-10) - Sow seeds in a well-drained soil mix and do not cover. Provide a soil temperature of 70-75 ¡ãF/20-24 ¡ãC. Germination takes place in 7 to 10 days. Since the root system is very delicate, avoid transplanting by sowing directly into plug cells.

Stage 2 (day 10-19) - After seedlings emerge, place plug flats in a well ventilated area and reduce the tempearature to 65- 70 ¡ãF/18-21 ¡ãC during the day and 60-65 ¡ãF/15-18 ¡ãC at night. Fertilize plugs lightly with 50-100 ppm of Nitrogen. Over watering will promote disease; especially damping off and botrytis.

Stage 3 (day 20-27) - Maintain good air circulation and keep media E.C. levels around 0.5 to 0.7 mhos. Celosia is sensitive to day length and any type of stress; like water or high temperature. Avoid stressing the plugs or else they can bud prematurely and cause stunted growth later in production. Celosia will bloom more quickly under short day conditions.

Stage 4 (day 28) - Plugs are ready for transplanting and be careful not to damage the delicate root system. It is best to handle Celosia by the leaves to prevent damaging the soft delicate stem. Also avoid deep transplanting to prevent rhizoctonia. Do not delay transplanting. Holding the plugs too long in the plug tray will stunt future development of the plant and might cause premature budding.

Transplanting to flowering 6 ¨C 10 weeks

Media: Select a well-drained media with a low starter charge. Ideal pH is 5.5 to 6.0.

Temperature: Maintain the plants at a temperature of 65-75 oF /19-24 oC.

Light: High light, full sun is best.

Growth Regulator: Not necessary. Do not pinch.

Fertilization: Feed with 150-200 ppm N as needed to maintain the E.C. at 1.0 to 1.4 mmhos (2:1 slurry). It is important to supply sufficient amounts of Potassium in the fertilizer. A lack of Potassium will cause smaller flowers to be formed along with abnormal shaped flowers.

Cultural Watch Points: Celosia Kimono must be kept growing vigorously in order to reach favorable size before flowering slows their growth. Celosia is susceptible to pythium, downy mildew, botrytis, rhizoctonia, aphids and thrips. Boron deficiency can cause deformed foliage and a witches broom effect. Celosia can also be sensitive to vaporized gases of certain herbicides like methylurea, methoxy, dichlorophenyl and dichlorobenzonitrile. Also, avoid low temperatures (under 61 oF/16 oC).

Scheduling from transplant:
Jumbo Packs: 6 weeks sow sold green.
Four inch/10 cm.: 10 weeks with buds

Marketing: Celosia Prestige Scarlet is excellent for autumn sales in 6 inch/15 cm. pots and gallons and can be sold in full color. For Autumn Sales use the following sowing schedule:
-Sow seeds in April
-Transplant to the garden or large containers in June
-Plants will begin to flower in August and continue in full bloom until frost