- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- propagation
- In the greenhouse
- balcony
- Pour plume
- Fertilize plumes properly
- Cut plume correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hardy
- pests
- fungus
- sorts
The plume attracts attention with its interesting growth habit. But the tropical plants are sensitive to outdoor conditions. With the right care, you can enjoy the splendor of the flowers for several years.
The plume inspires with its colorful tufts
Table of Contents
Show all- origin
- growth
- leaves
- blossom
- use
- Edible
- Which location is suitable?
- What soil does the plant need?
- propagation
- In the greenhouse
- balcony
- Pour plume
- Fertilize plumes properly
- Cut plume correctly
- How do I plant correctly?
- hardy
- pests
- fungus
- sorts
- bright and warm
- outside of direct sun
- sheltered from the wind
- on a south-facing house wall
- use sharp knife
- Thoroughly clean the blade before use
- remove plant juices from the knife after cutting
- caracas: cultivar of Celosia argentea. Blooms between July and August, magenta. Growth height between 15 and 20 centimeters.
- Venezuela: cultivar of Celosia argentea. Flowers between June and September, purple. Grows between 40 and 50 centimeters high.
- Comfort: Suitable for low summer temperatures. Leaves bicolored with a dark center. Inflorescences small, violet.
- Celosia argentea var. argentea: spikes white to light pink, tips turn pink with age.
- Celosia argentea var. cristata: Comb-shaped flowers reminiscent of coral. Different colored flowers. Up to 25 centimeters high.
- Celosia argentea var. plumosa: flowers in spikes in yellow, orange or red. Up to 45 centimeters high.
origin
The feather bush Celosia argentea belongs to the genus of burnt creatures within the foxtail family. It has numerous trivial names such as silver burnthead, daisy, cockscomb, marigold or floramoor. Its original range is in the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America, Asia and Africa. In China and India, the plume is cultivated and used in a similar way to amaranth.
growth
Like all smut species, the plume has a characteristic appearance, which the Latin generic name Celosia indicates. Translated it means "flaming". The perennial forms an unbranched and upright shoot. The plume grows comparatively quickly and reaches heights of stature between 30 and 80 centimeters. Most cultivated forms grow between 20 and 30 centimeters high. The plume is an annual or perennial plant that is often woody at the base.
leaves
Leaves develop on the shoot, which are divided into leaf blades and stems. The leaves appear lanceolate or oval to triangular. Its edge is smooth. They sit alternately on the stem. When the vegetation phase comes to an end, the dark green leaves change color and shine in attractive autumn tones.
blossom
The terminal inflorescences are reminiscent of feathery bushes with a flame-like shape. They are composed of numerous individual flowers that form a spike. They are hermaphroditic and consist of three to five bracts. There are five stamens in the center of the flower, which are fused to the calyx at the base. The stamp is up to four millimeters long, which distinguishes the plume from other Brandschopfarten.
The species Celosia argentea develops reddish flowers with silvery nuances. There are now numerous cultivated forms that have expanded the color palette. It ranges from white to yellow and organs to pink and flame red. The flowering period extends from June to September. An inflorescence lasts up to eight weeks.
use
In Asia, plumes are cultivated as ornamental plants and food. They are used in herbal medicine. In Central Europe, the species, their colorful varieties and cultivars are used for planting in tubs. They adorn roof gardens, courtyards and potted arrangements. In planters, the perennials beautify interiors and balconies, where they are cultivated as an annual. The Celosia can be grown indoors all year round so that it blooms for several years.
In the flower bed, the perennial thrives among other colorful flowering plants. Here the perennial is cultivated as an annual. The plume harmonises with marigolds and coneflowers. It serves as a gap filler and can be planted in small groups. With its eye-catching inflorescences, the plume looks very dominant. So it looks good as a soloist in a colour-coordinated planter.
Edible
The plume can easily be used as an ornamental plant for the nursery or cultivated in households with pets. It is considered non-toxic in all parts of the plant. Its leaves can be prepared in a similar way to spinach. The young shoots provide a tasty vegetable that can be seasoned with garlic, hot pepper or chili. The colorful inflorescences can be used as an edible decoration. The flowers garnish desserts and are a real eye-catcher in ice cubes.
Which location is suitable?
The cockscomb likes conditions similar to its tropical home. Young plants without flowers prefer a warm place that is bright and gets a lot of sun. The sun's rays stimulate flowering. As soon as they are in full bloom, a partially shaded location is necessary. Plants wither very quickly in the sun. Feather bushes thrive in a sheltered spot. The Celosia prefers high humidity
The ideal outdoor space:
What soil does the plant need?
Regular potting soil is perfect for growing feather bushes. For better permeability you should loosen the soil with sand or perlite. The cockscomb enjoys a nutrient-rich substrate that provides it with sufficient nutrients during flowering.
propagation
The seeds are suitable for direct sowing in the bed. Since the plants are very short-lived with this method and die off with the cold in autumn, you should prefer the seeds between March and April. Temperatures of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius and a moist growing substrate on which the seed is spread are suitable for this. The light germs are not covered with soil. They need high humidity to germinate. The seeds show tiny cotyledons after one to two weeks.
In the greenhouse
A mini greenhouse (€7.95) for the windowsill provides ideal conditions for growing from seeds. Ensure adequate ventilation every day. Once the young plants have reached a size of a few centimetres, they can be placed individually in plant pots. After the ice saints they are planted in the bed.
balcony
The plume feels particularly comfortable as a container plant on the balcony if it gets a warm and bright place directly on the house wall. Make sure that no waterlogging forms in the pot. Before you put the plant outside, you should wait for the last late frosts. Since they do not tolerate cold feet, the tubs should be placed on a wooden board.
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Pour plume
The Hahnenkamm has a moderate water requirement. It needs an evenly moist substrate so that it does not let its leaves droop. The root ball must not dry out. Make sure you have a regular water supply, which will be more plentiful in the hot summer months. You can check the moisture content in the substrate with the thumb test. Water the plant at the base to avoid water running over the leaves. If water collects in the coaster, you should drain it. Spray the leaves daily to increase humidity.
Fertilize plumes properly
Freshly bought plants do not need to be fertilized at first because the soil has been enriched with nutrients. If the plume is in the same pot for a longer period of time, it will enjoy a supply of nutrients every four weeks. Give the plant a liquid fertilizer over the irrigation water. Make sure you use it sparingly, as the plant can quickly become over-fertilized. This makes them more susceptible to diseases and the flowers are less lush.
Cut plume correctly
The plume does not require pruning. Regularly removing wilted bud sites can encourage reblooming, thereby prolonging the flowering period.
How to prevent infection:
How do I plant correctly?
When transplanting the plant, you must ensure that you damage as few roots as possible. The plume reacts sensitively to substrate changes. Container plants that are cultivated perennial should only be repotted every two to three years. Perennials growing in the bed die off after a vegetation period due to the cold, so that transplanting is not necessary here.
hardy
The plume is not hardy. Outdoor perennials die off in autumn, while potted plants can be overwintered. As soon as the temperatures drop below ten degrees Celsius, the pot should be brought to the winter quarters. This can be a greenhouse or the living room. The plants are overwintered at room temperature. During the winter months, the plants need less water. The root ball should not dry out. Fertilization is not necessary until spring.
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pests
The plume is often attacked by aphids. They prefer to settle on weakened plants and suck sap from the leaf veins. The leaves turn yellow and die if severely damaged. Various home remedies can be used to combat the pests. A decoction of garlic, onion or nettle is regularly sprayed on the leaves. You can treat the plant with an extract of old coffee grounds. Sprinkle a few teaspoons of coffee grounds on the substrate to prevent pest infestation
fungus
Incorrect care and suboptimal site conditions often lead to infestation by various fungi.
powdery mildew
This fungus develops a mealy coating with a white or grayish tint that covers the leaves of the cockscomb. When ripe, small dark spots can be seen on the surface. This fair weather fungus spreads its spores and dry and warm conditions.
gray mold
The mold spores prefer to settle on rotten plant parts. Rotten roots or shoots offer the spores optimal growth conditions. Rot formation is favored when the substrate is excessively moist. When watering, make sure that the water runs off and that there is no waterlogging.
If the plant shows stunted growth or discolored leaves, it should be freed from the substrate and checked for signs of rot. For most varieties, control measures are not worthwhile because they are cultivated as an annual. Perennial plants should be placed in fresh substrate after the rotted roots have been removed.
tips
Colorful arrangements can be created with the plume. Plant different colored varieties in a sufficiently large flower box. (€16.99) The opened flowers can be dried and used to embellish floral arrangements or dried bouquets.