Cosmos Flower Seeds - Cupcake Mix

(Cosmos bipinnatus) Annual. 90-100 days to maturity.

Our Cupcake Mix Cosmos are truly the sweetest flowers you’ll grow this year! Once you see these beauties bloom, you’ll surely agree with us, there’s nothing quite like them! Their fused petals are like delicate cupcake wrappers engulfing a golden center. Cosmo Cupcake Mix blooms remind us of dancing ballerinas, gently twirling in the wind. As a member of the Aster family, cosmos do a great job repelling unwanted bugs, so plant them alongside your veggies for optimum benefits. Do remember they can grow up to 5 feet tall, so give them plenty of space and a little support.

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Growing Instructions

Growth habit: Tall, up to 5 ft. Light-weight blooms held upright with small tufted yellow centre. ** May benefit from some wind protection or additional horizontal support.

Soil preference: Prefers poor soil that is well-draining. Avoid manures and fertilizers.

Sun requirement: Full sun, can tolerate partial shade. 

- "Photoperiod (the number of hours of light per day) affects how Cosmos blooms.
Cosmos is a short-day plant, which means it will bloom best when day length is 14
hours or less. With long days (over 14 hours of light per day), the plants are slower
to bloom and the overall percentage of plants that produce flowers is decreased.
The effect of photoperiod, however, is greatest with young plants. Mature plants
will bloom regardless of photoperiod."

Soil acidity preference: Tolerates most soil level Ph, but prefers alkaline to neutral soils ( Ph 7.0-7.5)

When to Plant: Direct seed after risk of last frost has passed. Sow 4 to 6 weeks before last spring frost. Sow seeds shallowly, 1/8" deep, in moistened grow medium. 

How to Plant:

Direct sow: after risk of frost has passed. Sow seeds shallowly, 1/8' deep, and cover lightly ( ideally soil temp avg should be above 16 degrees). Keep bed moist until germination.

Transplant: Start 5 to 7 weeks before last frost date. Sow shallowly, covering seeds lightly.

- "...if you start the plants early indoors and transplant them out into
the field, the plants will have a jump start. They will be mature plants by early
summer and will bloom even when the days are still long."

Germination: Optimal germination temperature is 21-25 degrees. Seeds can germinate in 7 to 10 days.

Spacing: Sow or thin plants 8-10 inches apart. Cosmos has a bushy growth habit so leave ample room. **Wider spacing creates stronger, thicker stems.

**Tip: If you want to encourage your cosmos to bush out and blooms lots start pinching the growing ends as the plant reaches around 18", get ready for quite the flower show!

Succession planting:

- ".... To ensure a long and productive harvest, you may wish to succession plant,
starting with early spring plantings indoors, and staggering plantings at 14-day
intervals. By succession planting, you can produce a continuous supply of mature
plants and therefore a continuous harvest throughout summer and into early fall,
regardless of day length."

Watering: Cosmos is so great at tolerating dry soil hence why it makes a great xeriscape plant. In seedling stage water regularly in the first 2 months, or once established. Be sure to water during very dry spells ; )

Harvesting fresh flowers: cut flowers before bloom has cracked opene or barely open. When it is picked at this stage the Cosmos flower will last days longer in a vase, for your enjoyment! 🤍

Harvesting Seeds: Pick flowers that are losing petals or dying back. As all the petals fall you'll be left with the flower head of dried seeds. If the seeds are properly dried, the seeds should look brown and sharp looking. Grasp the seed head and gently pull, all the seeds should come off for next years planting ; )

*You can also wait at the end of the season and do them all simultaneously, or pick and store seeds as you go! 

Happy planting! 🤍

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Available direct from Incredible Seeds, a Canadian Heirloom and Heritage Seed Company, offering only the best natural, non-GMO, open pollinated and untreated seeds, located in Mi'kma'ki / Nova Scotia, Canada.