This little beauty is a big improvement over seed grown strains. It branches freely, and is more heat tolerant and mildew resistant than older cultivars. It is vegetatively propagated and patented so propagation is prohibited.
Some folks find them finicky while others have great success, and I don't know the exact combination of conditions that make them thrive.
Plugs sourced from Gro ‘n Sell/Farmer Bailey and then lovingly grown to have a larger root ball filling a 2.5” pot.
Specs:
2.5” pot
Common Name
Cosmos, garden cosmos, Mexican asters
Genus
Cosmos
Species C. bipinnatus
Family
Asteraceae
Life Cycle
Tender Annual
Netting / Staking
One or two layers of netting is beneficial in areas with high wind.
Temperature RangePlants can not tolerate freezing at any point in the growth cycle. They can handle the heat of summertime and are a crop suitable for most zones.
Spacing
9-12"
Soil Preference
Loose, well draining soil with low fertility. Too much nutrient content will cause heavy foliar growth and few flowers.
Day Length
Short day plants - flowering is triggered as days get shorter, typically towards the end of summer. If stressed rootbound or drought conditions) they will flower prematurely. If growing in a greenhouse through the winter, additional lighting will be required to mimic long days for the vegetative state.
Pinching
Pinch once when the plants are about 6" high, down to a few sets of leaves to encourage side branching. If the plants try to flower prematurely, continue to pinch off buds and flowers until you start seeing longer stems.
Harvesting
Expect flowers approximately 45-60 days after planting plugs (dependent on weather and temperature). Harvest when flowers are just starting to open for the longest vase life. Mature side buds will also open in the vase. Cut deeply into the plant for long stems and to promote additional side branching. If flowers are left to open fully they will get pollinated and vase life will suffer.
Post Harvest Care
Place cut stems immediately into cool water. Floral preservative will extend vase life - expect stems to last just shy of one week. Can be stored in the cooler for a short period of time.
Diseases / Insects
During long stretches of heat and humidity powdery mildew and bacterial wilt may be seen.
Common insect pests include aphids, thrips and Japanese beetles.
Bailey's Notes
Do not allow plants to set seed - keep up with harvesting and deadheading or the plant will start to shut down.
Some growers will use stems of cosmos foliage as a filler in bouquets - they have reported a good vase life although we don't have personal experience to support this claim.
PLUG SOURCE:
*Item description and growing information sourced from the seed company and linked accordingly
** if there are no images of the product it means that I have not grown that specific variety in the past. product images are available to review on the seed company’s website
This little beauty is a big improvement over seed grown strains. It branches freely, and is more heat tolerant and mildew resistant than older cultivars. It is vegetatively propagated and patented so propagation is prohibited.
Some folks find them finicky while others have great success, and I don't know the exact combination of conditions that make them thrive.
Plugs sourced from Farmer Bailey/Grow ‘n Sell and then lovingly grown to have a larger root ball filling a 2.5” pot.
Specs:
2.5” pot
Common Name
Cosmos, garden cosmos, Mexican asters
Genus
Cosmos
Species
C. bipinnatus
Family
Asteraceae
Life Cycle
Tender Annual
Netting / Staking
One or two layers of netting is beneficial in areas with high wind.
Temperature Range
Plants can not tolerate freezing at any point in the growth cycle. They can handle the heat of summertime and are a crop suitable for most zones.
Spacing
9-12"
Soil Preference
Loose, well draining soil with low fertility. Too much nutrient content will cause heavy foliar growth and few flowers.
Day Length
Short day plants - flowering is triggered as days get shorter, typically towards the end of summer. If stressed rootbound or drought conditions) they will flower prematurely. If growing in a greenhouse through the winter, additional lighting will be required to mimic long days for the vegetative state.
Pinching
Pinch once when the plants are about 6" high, down to a few sets of leaves to encourage side branching. If the plants try to flower prematurely, continue to pinch off buds and flowers until you start seeing longer stems.
Harvesting
Expect flowers approximately 45-60 days after planting plugs (dependent on weather and temperature). Harvest when flowers are just starting to open for the longest vase life. Mature side buds will also open in the vase. Cut deeply into the plant for long stems and to promote additional side branching. If flowers are left to open fully they will get pollinated and vase life will suffer.
Post Harvest Care
Place cut stems immediately into cool water. Floral preservative will extend vase life - expect stems to last just shy of one week. Can be stored in the cooler for a short period of time.
Diseases / Insects
During long stretches of heat and humidity powdery mildew and bacterial wilt may be seen.
Common insect pests include aphids, thrips and Japanese beetles.
Bailey's Notes
Do not allow plants to set seed - keep up with harvesting and deadheading or the plant will start to shut down.
Some growers will use stems of cosmos foliage as a filler in bouquets - they have reported a good vase life although we don't have personal experience to support this claim.
PLUG SOURCE:
*Item description and growing information sourced from the seed company and linked accordingly
** if there are no images of the product it means that I have not grown that specific variety in the past. product images are available to review on the seed company’s website
The only Veronica you need to know about. The Skyler™ series needs no vernalization and blooms freely the first year. It re-blooms after each cut. (Cut all the way to the ground at harvest time to encourage regrowth.) Skyler is fully winter hardy. Bred by Danziger of Israel.
Plugs sourced from Gro ‘n Sell/Farmer Bailey and then lovingly grown to have a larger root ball filling a 2.5” pot.
Specs:
Plant Height: 18-30"
2.5” pot
Genus Veronica
Species
longifolia
Family
Plantaginaceae
Netting / Staking
No
Temperature Range
-35 to 90
Spacing
9"
Soil Preference
Well drained, generally fertile soil.
Day Length
Day Neutral
Pinching
If the plant is not already branching, pinch once growth has resumed after transplant.
When to Plant
Spring or Fall. Quite adaptable.
Harvesting
Cut when the spike is 1/3 open. Harvest the entire plant, all the way to the ground to encourage rebloom.
Post Harvest Care
Holding solution in the cooler.
Diseases / Insects
Generally pest free.
Bailey's Notes
The Skyler series does not need a cold winter period, unlike other Veronica longifolia cultivars. It will flower the first year from planting. Cut to the ground, and it will generally send out an additional flush of flowers. Depending on location you may harvest 2-4 flushes of flowers per year. It is fully hardy. In its second and third years, you will see many more stems emerge as the plant spreads. You may need to replace them every 4 or 5 years if production declines.
PLUG SOURCE:
*Item description and growing information sourced from the seed company and linked accordingly
** if there are no images of the product it means that I have not grown that specific variety in the past. product images are available to review on the seed company’s website
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