Flamingo Purple – Celosia Seed

New! Productive, decorative foliage for late summer.
Dense, shrub-like plants produce a bounty of dramatic, dark burgundy-and-green foliage with 2–5" magenta flower spikes. Plants are upright and highly uniform, and stems are dark red, thick, and sturdy. As a cut flower, it adds a tropical flair. NOTE: Despite the name, this is a very different plant than Pink Flamingo celosia. Purple Flamingo blooms late and produces an abundance of foliage with comparatively few flowers on very dense plants. Pink Flamingo is the opposite in many ways, blooming early with lots of flowers and few leaves. Ht. 28–34". Avg. 28,400 seeds/oz. Packet: 100 seeds.
DAYS TO GERMINATION: 8-14 days at 70-80°F (21-27°C). Bottom water or mist lightly to avoid displacing seeds and soil.
SOWING: Transplant (recommended) – Sow into 72-cell flats or preferred seedling container 6-8 weeks before planting out. Light is required for germination; cover very lightly to hold seeds in place. Grow seedlings at 63-68°F (17-20°C). Harden off and transplant out after danger of frost. Direct seed – Only in locations with a long growing season. Sow 1/8" deep, after last frost. Pinching is recommended to encourage branching. Low temperatures and less than 12 hours of light can cause premature flowering.
LIGHT PREFERENCE: Sun.
PLANT HEIGHT: Varies.
PLANT SPACING: 6-12".
HARDINESS ZONES: Annual.
STEM LENGTH: 12-48" depending on variety.
VASE LIFE: 7-14 days. Ideal storage temperature 36-41°F (2-5°C).
HARVEST: Celosia is exceptional as a cut flower and can be used both fresh and dried. Fresh – Harvest when the flowers are fully developed, and stems are firm at the base of the bloom. Dried – Harvest at the same stage of growth as you would for fresh flowers. Remove all the foliage and hang in a dark, well-ventilated location to dry.
SOIL REQUIREMENTS: Well-drained, moist, fertile soil high in organic matter. pH of 6.0-7.0 preferred.
USES: Excellent cut flower, fresh or dried. Borders, beds, and containers.
Note: Pinching is not necessary for all species of Celosia but is still recommended to increase branching (the number of stems and flowers produced) and uniform flower size. Pinching is highly recommended for C. cristata and C. plumosa. To pinch, when plants are 6–12" tall, use your thumb and index finger or sterilized scissors to remove the growing point.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Celosia spp.
ALTERNATE NAMES: Cockscomb, crested cock’s comb, prince of Wales feather, prince feather, wheat celosia, red fox