Cosmea 'Apollo Carmine' Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apollo Carmine' (Apollo Series)

Water

Cosmos, commonly known as Cosmos Apollo Pink, prefers a consistent watering schedule to remain moist but not waterlogged. During the growing season, water the plant thoroughly once a week, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. In hotter weather, you may need to water twice a week, ensuring you apply about 1 gallon per plant each time. During the winter or dormant period, reduce watering frequency to when the top inch of soil feels dry. It is best to water early in the morning at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can cause fungal diseases.

Light

Cosmos Apollo Pink thrives best in full sun conditions, which means it should receive at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal spot for this plant is in an area where it can enjoy uninterrupted daylight, such as a south-facing garden or landscape. Ensure that shaded areas or taller plants do not cast shadows on your cosmos for significant parts of the day, as this can reduce flowering.

Temperature

The ideal temperature range for Cosmos Apollo Pink is between 70°F and 85°F for optimal growth. It can tolerate a minimum temperature of 50°F, but frost or prolonged exposure to temperatures below this range can be detrimental. These cosmos are quite temperature resilient but will perform best when night temperatures do not drop below the minimum threshold.

Pruning

To encourage bushier growth and more blooms in Cosmos Apollo Pink, regular deadheading, or the removal of spent flowers, is beneficial. Prune cosmos by cutting stems just above a leaf or a new flower bud throughout the growing season to promote continuous flowering. It is also recommended to cut back the plant by one-third in midsummer to rejuvenate and encourage a new flush of blooms. Pruning can be done as needed when you notice dead or fading flowers.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

The Cosmos or Cosmos bipinnatus prefers a well-draining soil mix rich in organic matter with a pH between 6.0 and 8.5. A blend of garden soil, peat, compost, and perlite or sand can create the ideal growing conditions.

Repotting

Cosmos, generally grown as annuals, do not often require repotting as they complete their life cycle in one season and can be sown directly outdoors.

Humidity & Misting

Cosmos are quite adaptable and do not require specific humidity levels, thriving in average outdoor humidity conditions.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Cosmos in a bright spot and ensure a warm room.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun, and protect from strong winds.

• Hardiness zone

  2-11 USDA

Life cycle

Cosmos Apollo Carmine, commonly known as Garden Cosmos or Mexican Aster, begins its life cycle from seed, typically sown early indoors or directly in the garden after the last frost. The seed germinates in 7-21 days, developing into a seedling with a pair of true leaves, followed by the formation of a sturdy stem and feathery foliage. As a fast-growing annual, it progresses to the vegetative stage, where it continues to grow in height and spread. Flower buds develop and bloom into striking carmine flowers in summer to early fall, attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. After pollination, the flowers produce seed heads that mature, at which point seeds can be collected for future planting or left to self-sow. The plant eventually dies after the first hard frost, completing its annual life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to early summer

• Cosmos, particularly the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Apollo Carmine', is best propagated by seed. The ideal time to sow seed is after the danger of frost has passed in your region, which is usually in late spring to early summer. To propagate, scatter the seeds directly onto a well-drained soil surface where you wish them to grow and lightly cover with soil. The seeds generally require a thin covering of about 1/8 inch (around 3 millimeters) of soil. Cosmos seeds need ample sunlight to germinate, so choose an open, sunny area. Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged, to encourage germination, which should occur within 7-21 days under ideal conditions. Once seedlings appear and reach about 1-2 inches (2.5 to 5 centimeters) in height, they can be thinned out to allow for proper spacing, generally 12-18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to cater to their full growth potential.