Brandschopf, Celosie – Care of the Hahnenkamm plant

The silver smut prefers a light but moderately shady location outdoors, where it receives direct sunlight – but if possible does not have to endure the blazing midday sun. If it is too shady, it may not flower. On the other hand, a place that is too sunny will cause the flowers to wither very quickly. However, pent-up heat makes little difference to the plant.

Culture can be done indoors all year round and outdoors during the summer. However, attention should be paid to the respective type. Among the numerous varieties of Celosia there are quite compact forms that are just 25 centimeters high, but also varieties up to 1.5 meters high. Of course, this must be considered and taken into account when choosing the location.

Substrate

When it comes to the substrate, the following applies to Hahnenkamm: Less is more. Not in terms of quantity, but in terms of nutrients. Commercial potting soil, which is not pre-fertilized if possible, is suitable. As well as used up substrate, on which heavy feeders previously grew. Coconut fiber or potting soil can be added to loosen it up.

The Celosia tends to be damaged by over-fertilization, so the addition of compost or other nutrients should not end up in the soil of the silver burnt head, or only in very small amounts.

pre-breeding and sowing

The silver smut comes from the tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa. Therefore, it needs plenty of heat and light to germinate. For this reason, pre-breeding indoors is recommended. If it is missing, the flowering time is significantly reduced. Germination in a warm room can be started as early as March.
To do this, the seeds are treated as follows:

1. The seeds are pressed onto potting soil or the substrate described above. As light germs, they must not be covered with soil.
2. The soil is moistened, the planter is placed in a greenhouse or covered with transparent film.
3. The Celosia needs at least 20 °C for successful germination, a warm room with high humidity is ideal. Suitable locations are therefore primarily heated kitchens and bathrooms.
4. The seeds prepared in this way are placed in a bright place, preferably on a warm windowsill.
5. The substrate should be kept consistently moist, preferably by spraying it with soft, low-lime water. However, waterlogging should be avoided and the cover should be aired daily to prevent rot.
6. After two weeks at the latest, the seeds of the Celosia will germinate. Once they have reached a size of at least five centimetres, they can be repotted. Particular care should be taken here with the roots.

pour

Even after germination, the silver smuts like it moist, but not wet. It is therefore poured in such a way that the soil can dry at least superficially between waterings.

To avoid waterlogging, excess water should be removed from the pot or saucer a few minutes after watering. Alternatively, smaller planters can simply be dipped in a bucket of water and then set up briefly to drain. The substrate is sufficiently moist when no more air bubbles rise from it in the water.

Soft, low-lime water is ideal for watering the Celosia. For example, collected rainwater or tap water that has been left to stand for about a week. In the latter, the lime settles to the bottom. Accordingly, the rest must not be used for casting.

Fertilize

If the silver brandschopf is only cultivated for one year, fertilization can usually be completely dispensed with. However, a slight additional nutrient supply makes sense for long-term care. It is best to use a liquid agent for flowering plants. This is best administered every four to eight weeks from June to September. It is advisable to dissolve the fertilizer in the irrigation water so that it is distributed as evenly as possible.

The manufacturer’s specifications should not be exceeded under any circumstances, as over-fertilization can quickly occur with the Celosia.

Verschnitt

The silver smut does not need a topiary, but if you want to prolong the flowering, you can definitely use scissors after they have withered. Only dried parts of the plant are removed.

This gives the Celosia its shrubby form. However, she doesn’t take offense to more radical blends either. This means it can be used as a cut or dried flower, or harvested for individual shoots.

outdoor culture

The silver fireman is very sensitive to cold. Even at temperatures below 5 °C, the plant suffers irreparable damage. A culture of Celosia outdoors is therefore only possible during the warm season.

If you still want to plant the Hahnenkamm directly in the bed, you can plan this after the last frost. Only in May or June can spade be grabbed. However, if the Celosia argentea is cultivated in a pot or box, it can be placed outside at daytime temperatures of at least 20 °C. If the thermometer drops, however, she has to go back inside.

If the brightly flowering plant is to survive the winter, it has to be kept warm. Otherwise it can be disposed of after flowering, as it will not survive the cool autumn.

culture in the room

Celosia argentea is mainly cultivated as an annual plant on the balcony or terrace in temperate latitudes – but it is also suitable as a perennial houseplant.

Here, however, the sunnier the better. Since the radiation is filtered through the glass, it can also be a south-facing window. In addition, the humidity should be as high as possible. On the other hand, if the air is only dry, the silver burn should be sprayed with soft water several times a week. Apart from this, however, nothing needs to be taken into account when it comes to room culture.

wintering

Due to its tropical origin, the Hahnenkamm needs a warm and bright winter quarters. A heated conservatory would be ideal, but a sunny window sill also serves the purpose. Rooms with comparatively high humidity are particularly favourable. So bathroom and kitchen are preferable. Alternatively, the silver burn can be sprayed regularly to prevent it from drying out. This danger is particularly high in rooms with dry heating air.

Fertilization is completely stopped during the winter. But it still has to be cast. In addition, normal room temperatures of at least 18 °C are necessary for the Celosia to overwinter successfully.

propagation

As already mentioned, the cockscomb can be propagated via seeds. However, the withered flowers must not be cut off and disposed of immediately, as they contain the seeds.

Once these have been obtained, they can be germinated as described. When storing in winter, it is also important that there is a minimum temperature of 15 °C. Otherwise the ability to germinate will be severely restricted.

If you want to keep the silver smut for the next year without overwintering it, you will save neither effort nor money by propagating. In the season, plumes are very cheap to get in the trade. It therefore makes more sense to overwinter particularly beautiful specimens indoors than to multiply them.

repot

A repotting of the silver smut is only necessary if it is cultivated as a perennial plant. Due to the low nutrient requirements and the fact that growth is usually completed quickly, this measure is only necessary every two to four years. If the roots are already growing out of the bottom of the pot, of course earlier. A small, regular fertilization is recommended in this case.

The roots of the cockscomb are very sensitive, if they are injured, the entire plant suffers severely. Hobby gardeners should therefore exercise particular caution when repotting and preserve as much root mass as possible. Apart from that, there are no special features to consider.

Typical diseases, pests and care mistakes

The silver smut is exceptionally robust and resistant to diseases and pests.
Mistakes in care can cause problems for the Celosie. The following are particularly common:

• Location too dark
• waterlogging
• Persistently dry air
• injury to the roots
• Lack of warmth
• over-fertilization

If you ensure the best possible conditions, you will enjoy the Hahnenkamm for a long time and have few problems with it.

toxicity

The silver fireman is not poisonous, on the contrary. Although it is mainly cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate climates, in other parts of the world it is considered a valuable addition to the diet. Easy to care for and undemanding, the cultivation of leafy vegetables is quick and easy. It therefore does not pose any danger in the household either. Not even when it is within reach of pets or children.

helper in the garden

The silver smut is not only an unusual leafy vegetable and an easy-care ornamental plant for the home and balcony – it is also a practical helper in the garden when used correctly.

If it is placed in the beds between other plants, it effectively keeps annoying weeds away. Since the celosia itself requires few nutrients, it does not become a competitor for other ornamental plants or vegetables and fruit.