Cosmic Orange (Cosmos)

(12 in/30 cm). Allow 8 weeks from seed in paks or 11-12 weeks in 4 in/10 cm pots. Free flowing semi double. Cosmic Orange an All America Winner. Pkt contains 40 seeds.

COSMOS Annual

GREENHOUSE: Sow Mar. 15th to Apr. 1st. Plants grown from earlier sowings, become rather unsightly, tall and spindly in the paks. Germinate @ 75 - 80°F/24 - 27°C soil temp. for 15 days. Sow 1/4 in/ 6 mm deep, cover lightly, Use tempered water to maintain soil temp. when watering. Transplant June 10th, as soil warms up.

DIRECT SOWING: Sow outdoors as soon as the ground warms up a bit, in late May or about June 10th. in the North. Seed should be sown in groups of 3 - 4 seeds, 18 in/ 46 cm apart. Space seeds about 2 in/5 cm apart in each group, 1/4 in/ 6 mm deep and firm. Cosmos like lots of sun and thrive in well drained, warm sandy soil - without too much moisture. Best used as a tall background or in groups among tall shrubs. Cosmos attract birds to the garden as cosmos seeds ripen in the fall. For good cut flowers, cut freshly opened blooms; place them in ice cold water to prevent wilting. Use plenty of foliage in arrangements.