Celosia Pampas Plume Seeds

Celosia Plumosa seeds should be started indoors 4-6 weeks before your last frost date, or directly sown when the soil is at least 60°F, and nighttime temps stay above 50°F degrees. The seeds should be pressed into the soil just 1/4 inch, as they need some light to start germination. The fine seeds should be mixed with a little dry sand before sowing, as it makes it easier to distribute them and prevent clumping. When the soil At 70–75°F, expect Celosia Plumosa flower seeds germination within 8-15 days. Cold soil stalls germination badly, and if it is under 60°F, you might wait up to three weeks.

Full sun is a must. 6-8 hours of sun is a minimum. If Celosia Plumosa is grown in partial shade, it becomes leggy, produces fewer plumes, and has more fungal issues. The soil doesn't need to be enriched — Celosia Pampas Plume mix tolerates poor soil and might even do better in it, as enriched soil encourages foliage growth at the expense of flowers. Water young plants until they establish roots,  then back off. Occasional short droughts don't bother them once they're established.

Pinch the growing tips of your Celosia Plumosa plants when they reach 4-6 inches tall, and it will encourage branching and double your plume production per plant. After that, it is relatively maintenance-free. Removing faded plumes will encourage more blooms, though they will naturally dry on the plant and look just as pretty. Use a balanced fertilizer once a month, but be careful not to over-fertilize with nitrogen or you'll end up with large leaves and small plumes! Keep an eye out for aphids on young growth, and a good strong water spray will take care of most of those before they get established.