Celosia Plumosa
The Flower Known For Its Brainy Look - Celosia Plumosa
The celosia plumosa is smart looking, that is it looks like a brain; actually, its IQ is no higher than the average flower. But seriously, before you go “yuck”, you should know that it is also velvety and beautiful in yellow, gold, peach, orange, and purple, to name a few of the colors. And the variety called plumosa is actually a lovely plume shape.
A plant of many uses, the celosia variety called agentea is the most significant vegetable in the diet of the people of Nigeria, that is, the leaves of the flowering plant, which goes by the name soko leaf.
Celosia flowers are known as cockscomb and make great cut flowers for elaborate centerpieces or bouquets. They last up to 2 weeks in water. This plant came from England in 1570 but its original home is unknown. Horticulturalists believe it may be from India, Africa, or North America’s rocky regions. The word celosia comes from the Greek for burn, perhaps because the orange-red plumes look like flames of fire.
The plumosa, or plume cockscomb was the winner of the All American Selection award in 2004, in fresh look red, and yellow. In its natural growth habit, it looks like a bouquet of multiple bright -- almost neon, velvety feathers. They work as house or outdoor plants, and even dried flowers, growing from 6 inches to 3 feet tall.
You can grow these beauties from the tiny seeds indoors, about 4 weeks before the last frost. Cover seeds with a light layer of soil, about 1/8th inch, keeping the soil warm and moist to germinate. For faster germination, place under heat lamps. Then transplant outdoors in a sunny spot, leaving about 20 inches between plants. Use a rich soil of mostly compost. Fertilize one to two times a month with all-purpose plant food, and in hot weather spray leaves with diluted liquid fertilizer. In the very hot season be sure they do not dry out. Otherwise, take care to keep them moist, but never wet.
Pinch off the very first flowers to get a more prolific plant. Following these growing suggestions should give you the glorious, big fluffy plumes of celosia plumosa.
To avoid common problems -- leaf or stem rot, and mites -- never leave plant wet and make sure the soil is not too cold, by planting after all danger of frost is past. Protect from rain and high humidity. They will rot if they are in a rainy place. You can bring them indoors if it starts to rain.
The flower will bloom all summer long. At first frost they will die. Remove from the ground when they are dead, and keep the area rich in soil to replant new ones the following year.
To enjoy the celosia plumosa all year, you can make the fun and colorful dried flowers by hanging the plumes upside down in bunches, in a dark place were it is cool, but dry, for 8 weeks. They will last indefinitely in dried arrangements.