Seed Raising, Growing and Harvest Information

TRANSPLANTING (recommended see below) - Start seed indoors in trays 4-6 weeks before last frost; 2 seeds per cell then thin to one. Transplant out after all danger of frost has passed.

DIRECT SOW - Cosmos can also be direct seeded once weather has warmed.

HARVEST/VASE LIFE - Individual blooms don’t last long in the vase, about 4-6 days, but each stem is loaded with multiple blossoms that open over a period of a week. Harvest when flowers are just starting to unfurl, but haven’t fully opened in order to prevent insects from pollinating, which will help stretch the vase life by a few extra days. Flower preservative is recommended.

PLEASE NOTE - "Cosmos 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.. The effect of photoperiod is greatest with young plants. Mature plants will bloom regardless of photoperiod. If you direct seed in the spring, the plants will still be immature during the long days of early summer and will not produce heavy blooms until the days shorten in late summer. However, 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." (Johnny's Selected Seed)