Celosia

Common Names: Woolflower, Redfox
Cultivation: Full sun with dry to moist soil
Colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Pink, Magenta
Bloom Time: April to October
Uses: In arrangements, wreaths, and swags
Regions: Cool mountaineous regions, Tropical Regions of North America, China, South East Asia

Cultivation of Celosia
Celosia thrives in well drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.4. They grow well in locations with a rich, deep, loamy soil and atleast 8 hours of full sunlight. Plants with too little sunlight will not produce good flowers. These flowers require 4 to 12 weeks of vegetative growth prior to flower initiation for optimum shoot development. They require relatively high amounts of nutrients, nitrogen is the key element. Fertility levels should be raised before planting celosia. Even after planting these flowers fertility level should be maintained before planting.

Drying Celosia
Celosias are well suited for drying and selling as everlasting cut flowers. Wheat type celosia has a tendency to shatter when dried, making it difficult to handle or ship without damaging the flower head.

For the best color retention, celosia should be dried rapidly. Some use a greenhouse covered with black plastic. Stems are harvested and are placed on a bench under the greenhouse. Exhaust fans are used to carry out moisture. They are dried for about 7 to 14 days.