Cosmea is familiar to almost everyone. The sight of its bright flowers immediately reminds of summer. The plant arrived in Russia from Mexico, where, by the way, it still enjoys incredible popularity today. Note that the plant gets along well not only in a warm climate, but also in the northern regions of our country.
In general, kosmeya is a simple and very beautiful plant that is found quite often in our gardens. The genus includes more than two dozen species of both annual and perennial cold-resistant plants. Characteristic thin flower stalks, refined thread-like leaves and beautiful basket-shaped inflorescences are the main features of cosmea. The plant blooms in summer and autumn. Let's take a closer look at what a perennial cosmea is.
Growing
This process cannot be called too complicated, but it has its own nuances. Perennial kosmeya is often grown on lawns and flower beds. It is rarely used as cut flowers, but such cases still occur. Also undersized varieties are grown on balconies in pots. This plant is resistant to cold,light-loving. Cosmea is considered unpretentious. It is planted directly in open ground in the spring. Annual species are grown in pots using a soil mixture with the addition of sand and peat. The mixture is fertilized with minerals. If everything is done correctly, beautifully blooming fresh kosmeya will please you very soon.
Planting and care
What is needed in order for a lush kosmeya to please you with its flowering in summer? Planting and care (photo of the plant in the article) will bring only positive emotions to the gardener if you follow certain rules for planting and propagating the plant. It is best to plant it in full sun in a mild climate. In hot summer, however, it is better to plant cosmea in partial shade. It does not tolerate low temperatures, unless conditions are created for it (the earth must be mulched). In summer, the perennial kosmeya needs regular and abundant watering.
In general, plant care comes down to regular watering and loosening the soil once a month. If you do not forget to water and weed the cosmea, the result of the work will be a lush and strong plant that will shade the flower bed and make the overall look of the garden incredibly beautiful. If the soil contains a sufficient amount of fertilizer initially, it can not be re-fertilized. In cases where there is little fertilizer, you need to make an additional portion during the period of the beginning of flowering (the appearance of buds).
Buds that have faded are cut off. This stimulates the appearance of new inflorescences and gives the cosmeawell-groomed look.
Reproduction
The plant is propagated by seeds that can remain viable for several years. It often happens that the seedlings of cosmos are thickened. In this case, it is better to thin them out. The beginning of flowering is in July, the end is during the period of the first frosts. In autumn, the stems are cut close to the soil surface. If you leave large faded buds, you can get seeds.
One of the main advantages of the plant is resistance to pests. Sometimes a perennial cosmea is affected by aphids. It can also be damaged by heavy rains. If the rains are moderate, and the gardener takes care of her properly, he will definitely be pleased with a beautiful kosmeya. Varieties (photos represent three different ones) are very diverse. Each of them has its own characteristics, which should be read on an individual basis.
