Celosia cristata

Japanese name: 久留米ケイトウ （久留米鶏頭）
Scientific name: Celosia cristata

[Overview]
An annual.
The stem is erect and thick.
The leaves are simple and alternate, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, 5–20 cm long, with leaf stalks.
Inflorescences are borne in the upper leaf axils and at the stem tips.
The inflorescence is fasciated into a spherical shape.
Flower colors are abundant, including yellow, orange, red and pink.

[History]
This strain developed from plants that Otsuki Tomekichi of Yame, Fukuoka brought back from India just before the end of the war.

[Cultivation]
Propagate from seed.
It has a taproot and dislikes transplanting, so sow directly where it is to grow, or if transplanting, take care not to break up the root ball.
The optimum germination temperature is 20°C or higher, so sow after the temperature has risen sufficiently.
The seeds need darkness to germinate, so cover them with soil and shade them with newspaper or the like until they germinate.
As long as the site is sunny and well drained, it is not very particular about soil.
In fertile soil it produces only leaves, so poor soil is better suited.
In poor light the flower color develops poorly.
If it is allowed to run short of water in summer its growth declines, so water thoroughly when the soil surface dries.
Fertilizer is not particularly necessary.
Pests and diseases include damping-off, gray mold, aphids, armyworms and spider mites.
Damping-off and gray mold occur more easily when the site is not sunny or well drained.
Spider mites appear when dry weather continues.
It suffers from continuous-cropping problems, so it is better to change the planting site every few years.

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