cosmos
Cosmos sulphureus
Cycle:
Annual
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Division,Cutting,Layering Propagation
Hardiness Zone:
2 - 11
Flowers:
Yellow Flowers
Sun:
full sun,part shade
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green,yellow
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Cosmos plants need to be watered regularly in order to keep their soil moderately moist. They don't need a lot of water, so be careful not to overwater them. Aim to water around once a week, though this may vary depending on the time of year and the soil you have - during the summer months water more frequently whereas during the colder months you can water slightly less. Ensure that when you do water, you water deeply to give the roots enough moisture - around 2-3 inches of water is ideal.
sunlight
Cosmos sulphureus requires plenty of full sun in order to thrive. It prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but the more direct, unobstructed sunlight it receives, the better. When grown in a partially shaded area, this species of cosmos will not produce as many blooms as it would if grown in a sunny location.
pruning
The best time to prune cosmos is in the late winter or early spring before or just as they begin to put out new foliage. If the flowers on your cosmos have already bloomed, then you can wait until late summer or early fall for your next pruning session. When pruning, you should remove about 1/3 of the plant by cutting it back to within several inches of the ground. This encourages bushier plants with more flowers. Deadheading or removing faded flowers throughout the season will also encourage more blooms.
