Chief Persimmon Celosia is a striking summer-to-fall bloomer that reaches a tidy 30 inches tall with deeply textured, velvety flower heads in rich persimmon tones. This open-pollinated cultivar flowers in 84 to 98 days from seed, making it reliable for gardeners working within typical growing seasons. Its sturdy, uniform plants produce exceptional cut flowers that dry beautifully, earning a place in both fresh arrangements and dried-flower displays that last for months.
Full Sun
Moderate
10-11
30in H x 12in W
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Moderate
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The deep persimmon coloring of these crested celosia flowers is riveting, especially when backlit by summer sun, and the velvety texture of the blooms invites close inspection. Plants branch readily when pinched, creating fuller specimens that flower prolifically from midsummer through the first frost. Both fresh and dried, these flowers hold their color and form with remarkable longevity, making them prized by flower arrangers and gardeners who want arrangements that last.
Chief Persimmon Celosia excels as a cut flower, harvested at peak bloom and arranged fresh in water or hung upside down to dry for winter bouquets and long-lasting arrangements. The flowers retain their persimmon hue beautifully through the drying process, creating striking dried arrangements that hold their color for months.
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Start seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. Sow seeds on the surface or barely cover them with vermiculite; light aids germination. Keep the soil at 68 to 78°F until seeds sprout in 8 to 14 days, then lower the temperature to around 65°F. Use roomy cell-packs rather than cramped flats to prevent seedlings from becoming rootbound and flowering prematurely. Seedlings should be grown at 63 to 68°F under adequate light.
Harden off seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions, then transplant after the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 6 inches apart for optimal branching, though some sources recommend 1-inch spacing. Ensure the soil has been enriched with compost before planting.
Direct sow outdoors about two weeks after your last frost date, sowing seeds 1/8 inch deep. Direct sowing is best in locations with a long growing season and will result in later blooms.
For fresh-cut flowers, harvest in the morning when the blooms are fully developed and stems are firm at the base; cut with a clean knife dipped in a 10% household bleach solution. For drying, harvest at the same stage of bloom as you would for fresh flowers, remove all foliage, and hang upside down in a dark, well-ventilated location for approximately two weeks until completely dry.
Pinch the tops of young seedlings to encourage branching and create fuller, more floriferous plants.
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