CELOSIA, GENTAUREA 311 



the average florist, will hardly ever get a call for a bed or border of 

 these dwarf, large comb-producing sorts which are really only good 

 for bedding, although a well-grown 5-in. pot pl^nt is certainly 

 attractive. 



If you wish to grow on plants of Celosia cristata for Spring sales,, 

 sow seed about the middle of March in gentle heat; pot up the 

 seedlings into 2s, and carry in a 55-deg. house; shift by the end 

 of April and get them into a hotbed. No plant enjoys bottom heat,, 

 a close atmosphere and being close up to the sashes more than these 

 Gelosias. An uninterrupted growth is absolutely necessary if you 

 want to obtain a large comb of flowers. 



Celosia plumosa, or Feathered Cockscomb 



The feathered Celosia should be considered one of the most 

 attractive annuals for the garden, and there are occasions when you 

 can use it to good advantage as a cut flower. When cut with 2-ft. 

 stems the blooms are very decorative and will last nicely. While 

 red and yellow, cannot, perhaps, always be used to advantage during 

 Summer, there are times when they are just what you want. Treat 

 these Gelosias the same as other annuals. As good a way as any 

 is to sow them right out in the open and thin them a little later on. 



The Thompson's hybrids of Celosia plumosa are the showiest of 

 all and are particularly fine for pot culture. Sow seed in 

 early August and keep the plants shifted. In good soil they will grow 

 over 3 ft. in height and bear enormous plumes of feathery flowers, 

 excellent for the showhouse or store. 



GENTAUREA CYANUS (BACHELOR BUTTON) 



Since we now have the double forms of Centaurea cyanus, 

 there is hardly any use considering the single one any longer. 



For cut flowers outdoors the earlier you sow seed the better, 

 for the plants don't do much in the heat of July and August. A 

 good way to do is to sow a little seed about March, grow the plants 

 on in pots and plant them out in a coldframe in April. This will 

 give you some excellent long-stemmed flowers by the end of May, 

 and they wiU keep right on and stiU be good by July .4th — a day 

 when you wiU most likely need blue flowers. 



For Forcing Under Glass 



If you want 15-in. stems and lacge flowers during Aprfl, sow 

 seed in January, tremsplant the seedlings into 2s, and by the end of 

 February plant on a bench about 12 in. apart in a house of 50 deg. 

 Later on supply stakes for them. If you plant in a solid bed you 

 will have still better results, but the plants won't flower quite as 

 early as those on the benches. 



