COSMOS SULPHUREUS, Cosmic

TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Life Cycle:Annual

Familiy, Origin: Asteraceae, Mexico

Sitelocation:Full sun - partial shade

Garden Height:30 cm, 11,81 inch

Natural flowertime:May - August

Crop Time:Plug crop: 4-6 weeks; Flowering pots: 7-8 weeks

Sell Period:up to May

Seed Form:Raw Seed

Seed Count:122 K/g

Sowing Time:February-End July

Sowing Method:2-3 seeds per plug, can be sown directly into final pot

Germination:5-8 days at 20 °C, in media with low soluble salt levels and pH: 5.5-5.8. Cover seed lightly with vermiculite after sowing. Keep soil slightly moist but not wet.

Plug Culture:From Stage II* reduce the soil moisture, but the plug should not dry out and reduce the temperature to 17-18 °C. Do not let soluble salt level rise above 0,75 EC. Start fertilization at 50 ppm nitrogen in a well balanced formula. During Stage III and Stage IV fertilization levels can be increased to 100-150 ppm.

Growing On:3-4 weeks after sowing transplant 1-2 plants into a pack or pot (10 cm), 2-3 plants into a bigger pot (10-15 cm).

Media:Use a well-drained, growing substrate with 20-30 % clay, 1-2 kg/m3 complete balanced fertilizer, iron-chelate, micronutrients, pH: 5.5-5.8.

Temperature:Grow at 15-17 °C or outdoors. Cosmos does not tolerate frost.

Fertilization:Moderate fertilization levels are required. Fertilize the crop weekly with 100-150 ppm nitrogen, using a complete balanced fertilizer. Avoid high ammonium and high nitrogen levels.