Exact Process for Planting Cockscomb Seeds

Preparation

• To prepare for planting cockscomb seeds, fill several biodegradable peat pots to the top with good quality soilless planting mix. Using peat pots enables cockscomb seedlings to be planted directly in the soil without disturbing the fragile roots. Place the peat pots in a shallow pan of water and allow the pots to absorb water until the planting mix is slightly moist.

Planting Seeds

• To plant cockscomb seeds, firm the potting mixture with your fingers, then plant three to five cockscomb seeds in each peat pot. Cover the seeds with no more than 1/4 inch of dry potting mix. Although bright light isn't needed for germination, warmth is important. Cockscomb seeds germinate best when daytime room temperatures are between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit, with nighttime temperatures 5 to 10 degrees cooler. Cover the peat pots with clear plastic to retain warmth and keep the soil moist. Allow the top of the soil to dry slightly between each watering, then water by spraying the peat pots lightly with lukewarm water. Always water immediately if the seedlings begin to appear wilted.

Seedlings

• The plastic is removed from the peat pots as soon as sprouts emerge from the soil. At this time, the seedlings are moved into a sunny window. Alternatively, place the seedlings under fluorescent lights, allowing 6 inches between the seedlings and the bulbs. Thin the cockscomb plants when the seedlings are about 2 inches tall. To thin the seedlings, pinch the weakest seedlings at soil level, leaving one strong cockscomb seedling to mature in each peat pot. Fertilize the seedlings after thinning. Use a regular liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength, then repeat every other week. Don't use full-strength fertilizer, which is too strong and may burn the seedlings.

Hardening Off

• Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimating seedlings to outdoors temperatures. To harden off cockscomb seedlings, begin about eight to 10 days before you plan to move the seedlings outdoors. Begin the process by placing the peat pots in a shady spot for one or two days, then move the peat pots into sunlight for two hours per day. Increase the time in sunlight by two hours per day until the plants are accustomed to spending entire days in sunlight. Don't begin hardening off cockscomb seedlings until daytime temperatures are consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit.

Planting Outdoors

• To plant the cockscomb seedlings outdoors, dig a hole for each peat pot. Make the hole no deeper than the height of the pot, but at least twice the width. Plant the peat pot in the hole, with the entire peat pot buried in the soil. If necessary, use scissors to trim the top edge of the peat pot. Allow 10 to 15 inches between each plant. Don't plant too deeply, as the seedlings should be planted only deep enough to cover the peat pot. Water as needed to keep the soil moist. Avoid overwatering and soggy, wet soil. Pinch the growing tips of each cockscomb plant at planting time to encourage full, bushy growth.