Cosmea - a charming flower that many gardeners affectionately call a "beauty", was introduced to Europe from tropical America. This plant also has another popular name - "unkempt young lady." Thus, the similarity of her medium-sized foliage with naughty curls was precisely noticed.
Cosmea flower is very unpretentious and often flaunts in cottages along the fences, in the front gardens and at the gates. This is a fairly tall plant. The stem length can reach 40–90 cm depending on the variety. Therefore, some bushes require garter. Cosmea flowers are chamomile, rather large. Petals are oblong, long. Color can vary from burgundy to pure white.
Cosmea, the preferred seed cultivation of which grows well on any soil and does not require additional nutrition. Seedling is also used, but very infrequently. In the first case, flowering begins in July, in the second - in June. Cosmey feels best of all on protected from strong winds, flower beds and beds illuminated by the sun.
In order to close not too beautiful designs on the site,
tall plants, such as cosmea, are often used. Growing from seeds can be carried out in open ground, starting from the 20th of May. This plant is absolutely not afraid of frost. Seeds are buried one to one and a half centimeters into the ground, the garden is watered. After the plant has reached a height of 12-14 cm, they are thinned out or seated. The optimal distance between the stems of adult flowers should be 25-30 cm.
Cosmea, the cultivation of which subsequently consists solely in weeding, does not "love" waterlogged soil too much. Therefore, it should not be watered frequently. Quite enough twice a week. In order for the flowering to be plentiful, during the period of budding, you can feed the plants with mineral fertilizers a couple of times. For this, a universal mixture for flowers is most often used.
Cosmea blooms, the cultivation of the seeds of which can be carried out both in the yard, in the flower beds, and in the garden, from mid-summer to the most autumn frosts. In order to get a more effective decoration for the site, dried buds are best to pluck. You need to leave them only if you want to collect seeds. Harvesting the latter is better annually. The fact is that the seeds of this plant are not too old, germination can be maintained for no more than 1-2 years.
Outwardly, they are somewhat reminiscent of the claws of an animal and are quite large in size. Cosmea, the cultivation of which is therefore not too difficult, can propagate by self-sowing. Almost all varieties of this ornamental plant are annuals. The exception is blood red kosmey. Although it belongs to perennials, in a cold climate in winter its roots freeze. Therefore, it is grown for the most part in the same way as annuals.
A frequent guest of personal plots, a simple cosmea in care, is one of the most preferred plants used for decorating courtyards. The only thing to remember is that when planting on the flower beds because of the high "growth" it is better to have it in the background.