Cosmidium flower

Cosmidium (Cosmidium) , or telesperma (Thelesperma) – a genus of annual, less often perennial herbs of the Compositae family, growing naturally in the south of the USA, in the state of Texas. In culture, one of the annual species is used, the burridge cosmidium (Cosmidium burridgeanum).

  • Family: Asteraceae or Asteraceae.
  • Origin: Southern USA.
  • Rhizome: Tap root system.
  • Stem: erect, branched.
  • Leaves: pinnate, with filiform blades.
  • Fruit: seed.
  • Reproductive capacity: propagation by seeds or seedlings.
  • Illumination: open sun.
  • Watering: moderate, without waterlogging.
  • Content temperature: cold-resistant annual.
  • Flowering time: July to October.

Description of the cosmidium flower

Cosmidium flower in the photo

Cosmidium flower (see photo above) is a flowering annual with straight, thin, highly branched stems, forming a small, 30 – 60 cm tall and 30 – 35 cm in circumference, neat bush. Pinnately dissected leaves with filiform lobes, rarely located along the entire length of the stems, give the whole plant a light, openwork appearance. Thanks to him, it is customary to call the flower “Greenthreads” abroad, which can be translated as “green cobwebs”.

Cosmidium flowers appear at the end of June – in July. They bloom on long peduncles and look like bright butterflies. Each inflorescence, 3 to 8 mm in diameter, has 8 reed flowers, usually golden yellow, less often dark red, and in the center there are many tubular flowers painted in red or dark brown tones. A number of cultivars with original colors have been created, among them the most popular are:

Brunette (C. Brunette) , with red-brown flowers edged with a bright yellow stripe;

Philippines (C. Philippine) , outwardly similar to the previous, but more compact variety, purple-brown petals with an orange-yellow border.

Less often on sale you can find the Royal Card variety with bright red, bordered by yellow, flowers.

The plant has been used in culture for a long time, it was grown in Great Britain at the beginning of the 19th century, but at that time it was considered an artificially created hybrid. Only in 1928 it became known that this is a natural species that grows in North America, in the state of Texas.

At present, it is rarely found in our gardens, but meanwhile the cosmidium flower has many advantages. It is undemanding to soils and cold-resistant, practically not susceptible to diseases, blooms profusely and for a long time.

Large, bright, originally colored inflorescences look great in flower beds and in flower beds, besides, they stand for a long time in the cut. The culture is suitable for growing on balconies and in pots.

Komidium: landing and care

The prospects of this unusual for us representative of the North American flora are due not only to the high decorative qualities of the cosmidium. Planting and caring for it is no more difficult than for other unpretentious annuals, and for propagation, you can use both purchased and your own seeds, which successfully ripen in our climate.

In nature, the flower grows in open dry rocky places, therefore, in the garden, sunny areas provided with good drainage, with neutral soil are also preferable for it. The culture does not impose any special requirements on its composition and nutritional value; it can successfully grow both on loam and sandy loam.

Seeds are sown in May directly into the ground or in March-April in a greenhouse for seedlings. For germination, they need light, so the seeds are not sprinkled, but pressed into the ground. At a temperature of 18-20 ° C shoots appear in 7-14 days. After another couple of weeks, the grown plants dive or thin out. When growing through seedlings, seedlings are transferred to open ground after the onset of sustainably warm weather, usually at the end of May. They are seated at a permanent place with an interval of 25-30 cm from one another.

Further care is no different from the usual. Landings are regularly weeded and loosened, if necessary, the bushes are tied up. The culture responds well to top dressing, and although it can grow on any land, it blooms more abundantly on the rich and well-fertilized. With a lack of nutrients, the flower is fertilized with a complex mineral fertilizer, repeating top dressing every 10 days. The need for water in the plant is moderate, it is watered regularly, but without waterlogging. The first buds appear in July, in cosmidiums grown from seedlings in June. To prolong flowering, it is recommended to regularly remove wilted inflorescences. To get your own seeds, on several of the most developed bushes, the first flowers must be left.

Share with your friends

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Other flowers
Other people actively read

Saintpaulia care: watering the uzambar violet

Wasps with a bizarre flower shape and chimeras with a unique...

Flower female happiness zamiokulkas: types and varieties

The genus Zamioculcas (Zamioculcas) includes only one species, Zamioculcas zamielistny (Z....

Indoor geraniums: home beauties

All types of geraniums grown in the house are united by...
Wednesday, November 8, 2023