20th Issue Vol. 3 No.

05 ISSN 2094-1765 May 2010

Growing the Colorful Cosmos Plant
by Norberto R. Bautista

One of the most popular and easy

to grow annual flowering plant is
the Cosmos, a plant genus of
about 20–26 species of
herbaceous annual and perennial
plants in the family Asteraceae.
Sunflowers, Daisies and Asters
also belong to this large plant
family. The Cosmos is native to
grasslands and meadow areas of
Mexico, where the bulk of the
species occur. It is also native in
the southern United States
(Arizona, Florida), Central
America and northern South
America, south to Paraguay.

The common hybrids belong to

the group of Cosmos sulphureus.
They are herbaceous perennial
plants growing about 0.3-2 meters
tall. The leaves are simple,
pinnate, or bipinnate, and
arranged in opposite pairs. The
flowers are produced in a
capitulum with a ring of broad ray
florets and a center of disc florets;
flower color is very variable
between the different species.
The genus includes several
ornamental plants popular in
gardens.

These plants are popularly

grown as a potted flowering
plant, sold in most garden
shows and garden centers,
and also as a insect repellant
in organic vegetable farms.

Cosmos flowers are produced

in a capitulum. The capitulum
is surrounded by a ring of

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 broad ray florets and a center of disc
florets. There is a lot of color variation in
between the species. Cosmos flowers are
2-4 inches in diameter. Cosmos flowers
come in brightly colored single or double
flowers which include white, pink, orange,
yellow, and scarlet colors.

The word Cosmos is derived from a Greek

word, which means “a balanced universe”,
maybe a description of its well-balanced
flowers. Cosmos flowers blooms heavily,
but dies as the plant grows old. New
Cosmos plants grow and flower next season when seeds fall on the soil.

Cultural Requirements.

Light. Cosmos prefer a sunny location. Choose a full sun location so that the plant will
provide you a weekly supply of flowers.

Watering. Water juvenile plants regularly for them to grow fast. Water less when they
started to flower. Cosmos flower plants are drought tolerant but water Cosmos plants
during long dry spells. Moderately water once the seedlings grow into mature plants as
too much watering prevents flowering.

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Fertilization. Fertilize plants lightly once every month using ordinary complete fertilizers
like 14-14-14, controlled release fertilizer or garden compost. Do not over-fertilize.
Over-fertilizing and over-watering may reduce flower production.

Soil. The plant prefers a fertile, well drained loamy soil, preferably without an abundance
of clay. A soil rich in organic matter is also ideal. For plants to be sown on pots, use 5-
inch pots, use the recommended soil mix and plant the seeds. Water the potting mixture
enough to make the soil moist but not water logged or too wet as it may cause rotting of
the seeds.

Pest and Diseases. Cosmos plants are usually not too much affected by insect pests
as they have a natural chemical in them which repels insects.

Propagation. Cosmos plants can be propagated through seeds. Pollinated flowers

produce dry seeds, similar to miniature pine needles. The seeds can be air-dried and
stored in paper envelopes or planted immediately in the soil. They are easy to
germinate (about 7-10 days after sowing) and quickly grow into seedlings. They can be
directly planted into the soil where they will grow into mature plants or in pots. Space
plants 12 inches apart. Cosmos plants normally grow to 4-5 feet in a season. Seedlings
may crowd each other and still thrive with carefree, sprawling growth over the late
summer and after the end of the rainy season. Plants will flower within 8 to 10 weeks of
seeding.

Other cultural practices. Protection plants from too much wind by providing bamboo
stakes. This will prevent delicate stems from
bending or breaking, especially for varieties
that grow up to 3 feet tall or taller.

Deadhead or removed spent flowers

regularly, as it keeps cosmos in bloom for
many weeks. Cut back dead foliage to
prevent incidence of diseases to make plant
look clean.

After their growth season, remove or uproot

dead plants and pile them aside as compost,
as they also help in fertilizing the soil. Sow
new seeds or transplant new seedlings for
the next batch of plants.

Cosmos plants are one of the most easily

sold annual plants in garden centers as they
are economical, they are easy to grow, and
they can be used as accents or decorations
in the garden, inside the home or in the
office.

Dry Cosmos seeds ready for the picking

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 Growing the Ti Plant for the Cut-foliage Trade:
By Norberto R. Bautista

One of the popular cut-foliage plant

with dark green and bright red foliage,
usually found in the Laguna and
Quezon area is the Ti Plant. Ti is a
popular ornamental plant, a tropical
evergreen, with numerous cultivars
available, many of them selected for
green or reddish or purple foliage.

The Ti Plant, or scientifically known as

Cordyline fruticosa is an evergreen
flowering plant in the Liliaceae family.
It is also known in names like
Cabbage Palm, Good Luck Plant,
Palm Lily, Ki (Hawaiian), Ti Pore
(Maori), and Si (Tongan). Botanically,
it also has different synonyms
(different scientific name but referring
to the same plant) like : Convallaria
fruticosa L.; Asparagus terminalis L.;
Cordyline terminalis Kunth; Dracaena
terminalis Lam.; and Terminalis
fruticosa (L.) Kuntze[1]

It is a woody plant
which can grow up to
13 feet high, consisting
of a single woody stalk
from which long glossy
leaves sprout. Its stark
architectural shape,
scented flowers and
colorful berries make it
a popular plant for most
garden enthusiasts. Its
leaves are about 30–60
cm (12–24 in) long and
5–10 cm wide at the
top of a woody stem. It
produces 40–60-
centimetre long
panicles of small
scented yellowish to red
flowers that mature into red berries.

Pollinated flowers of Ti-Plants produces bright red berries.

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It is native to tropical southeastern Asia, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia, northeastern
Australia, the Indian Ocean, and parts of Polynesia. It is introduced to Hawaii and New
Zealand by Polynesian settlers.

Uses:

In Polynesian islands, the inhabitants eat or use as medicine Its starchy rhizomes, which
are very sweet when the plant is mature, and the leaves are used to thatch the roofs of
houses, and to wrap and store food. The plant or its roots are referred to in most
Polynesian languages as ti. Leaves were also used to make items of clothing including
skirts worn in dance performances.

In ancient Hawaii the plant was thought to have great spiritual power; only kahuna (high
priests) and alii (chiefs) were able to wear leaves around their necks during certain ritual
activities. Ki leaves were also used to make lei, and to outline borders between
properties (for which its alternative name: Terminalis fruticosa). To this day some
Hawaiians plant ki near their houses to bring good luck. The leaves are also used for
lava sledding. A number of leaves are lashed together and people ride down hills on
them.

The roots of the ki plant were used as a glossy covering on surfboards in Hawaii in the
early 1900s.

In Hawaii, ki rhizomes are fermented and distilled to make okolehao, a liquor.

Its bright red foliage makes it an ideal cut-foliage part of flower arrangements.

Cultural Requirements

Light. The plant prefers full sun or moderately partial shade, though it will produce more
intense red colored foliage in full sun coupled with cool temperature like in high-altitude
locations.

Watering. Water mature plants moderately, usually once everyday for optimum growth.
Plants planted directly on soil need less care, but make sure they do not dry completely.

Potting Medium. Ti plants grow favorably in fertile loamy soil. If planted on pots, use a
gallon-sized plastic or clay pot. For those planted directly on soil, use top soil rich in
organic matter.

Fertilization. Fertilize the plants using compost or synthetic complete 14-14-14 fertilizer
once every month for optimum growth. Cultivate top part of the soil if it potting medium
becomes compact. Report to a bigger pot once every year.

Pest and Diseases. Typically, Ti plants are not commonly affected by pest and
diseases, however, they can be affected by defoliators like caterpillars, sucking insects
(aphids, scales, white flies and mites). For hobbyists, spraying plants with a dilute
solution of soapy water or detergent will deter most insects, but for extreme cases of
insect infestation, use synthetic insecticides. For problems on fungal infections,
especially soil-borne fungus, drench root area with a dilute solution of Dithane or Captan
to control fungal diseases.

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 Propagation. The Ti plant is a
relatively hardy plant and it
easy to maintain. It is also easy
to propagate, transplant and
grow from cuttings or seeds.
For commercial propagation,
stem cuttings are preferred
than seeds.

For stem cuttings, use pruning

shears or hand saw to
separate 3-4 inch long
segments of stems from the
top of mature Ti-plants. For
best results, cut from a Ti plant
that is at least 3 feet tall and
has a trunk diameter of 1 inch or more. Break off the leaves and leaf buds on the Ti
cutting. Plant the cutting in the pot. Plant vertically if you want a single Ti plant. Sink the
cutting into the soil vertically with the cut end in the ground at least 2 inches deep. Plant
horizontally if you want several Ti plants. Bury the entire cutting horizontally an inch
below the surface and cover with soil.

Keep the pot's soil moist at all times. Place the transplants in a cool, shaded area that is
out of direct sunlight. The cutting will begin to take root within a week. At that time, new
leaf buds forming at the top of the cutting will appear. Typically, a cutting will grow two
to four new buds. If the entire stalk was buried, it will begin sprouting buds along the
length of its body. The buds typically break the potting soil's surface within two to three
weeks.

Transplant the Ti plant once its leaves are an inch long. Transplant into a 10-gallon pot if
you plan to keep it permanently in a pot or you may plant directly in the ground. For best
results, red Ti plants should be planted in direct sunlight and green Ti plants should be
planted in the shade. This results in the most vibrant colors.

The Season of the Fiery Flame Tree

Delonix regia is a species of flowering plant from the
Fabaceae family, noted for its fern-like leaves and
flamboyant display of flowers. Its common name Flame
tree was due to its fiery display of flowers during summer
season. . The species was previously placed in a genus
Poinciana, named for Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy
who is credited with introducing the plant to the Americas.

The tree's vivid red/vermilion/orange/yellow

flowers and bright green foliage make it an exceptionally
striking sight. The Royal Poinciana is endemic to
Madagascar, where it is found in the Madagascar dry
deciduous forests. In the wild it is endangered, but it is
widely cultivated elsewhere. In addition to its ornamental

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value, it is also a useful shade tree in tropical conditions, because it usually grows to a
modest height but spreads widely, and its dense foliage provides full shade. In areas
with a marked dry season, it sheds its leaves during the drought, but in other areas it is
virtually evergreen.

The R o y a l
Poinciana requires a
tropical or near-tropical
climate, but can tolerate
drought and salty
conditions. It is very
widely grown in the
Caribbean, Africa, Hong
Kong, the Canary
Islands, Thailand,
Taiwan and southern
China, and is also the
city tree of Tainan,
Taiwan and Xiamen,
Fujian Province, and
People's Republic of
China. National Cheng

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Kung University, a university located in Tainan, put Royal Poinciana on its emblem. It
also grows throughout southern Brazil, with ornamental trees in Rio Grande do Sul
(Canoas and Porto Alegre)

The Royal Poinciana is regarded as naturalised in many of the locations where it is

grown, and is seen by some as an invasive species in some parts of Australia, partly
because its dense shade and root system prevent the growth of other species under it.
In Vietnam, this tree is called "Phượng vỹ", or phoenix's tail, and is a popular urban tree
in much of Vietnam. Its flowering season is April - May, which coincides with the end of
the school year in Vietnam. Because of this timing, the flower of Poinciana is sometimes
called the "flower of pupil", and often generates strong emotions among graduating high
school pupils, as the Poinciana bloom when they are about to leave their school and
their childhood behind.The seed pods of the Royal Poincianas are used in the Caribbean
as a percussion instrument known as the shak-shak or maraca.

Growing Ctenanthe Plants

Ctenanthes, which belongs to
the Marantaceae plant family,
are grown primarily for their
unusual colored foliage. Colors
in their foliage are produced only
in the presence of bright light. If
Ctenanthes doesn't receive
enough light, their leaves will
just be green in color. These
plant group is closely related
taxonomically to the prayer plant
or Calatheas and prefers high
humidity and warm
temperatures. They would enjoy
frequent misting with warm
water and wouldn't tolerate very
cold temperatures.

Another way of increasing

humidity for the plant is to place the pot on a tray with pebbles and water in it. The soil is usually
composed of ordinary garden show with a little bit of leaves mold.

CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS

Light. Ctenanthe prefer medium light, about 1000-2000 foot-candles, usually in a tree-
shaded window, or a partially shaded garden. The plants needs moderate but sufficient light for
the colors of the leaves to come out. Too much light, specially hot noontime light will bleach or
burn the leaves. On the other hand, lower light levels can cause pale leaves with indistinct
markings.

Temperature. This plant prefers tropical conditions and will thrive almost anywhere in the
Philippines, though high humidity is required. Foliage needs to be mist-sprayed daily with water.
Rainwater is excellent forthis, since it leaves no unsightly white lime deposits.

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 Watering. Water
plants plentifully, especially
during active growth, as
often as necessary to keep
the potting mixture
thoroughly moist. During
rest periods, water
moderately, just enough to
keep the top half inch of the
potting mixture moist. As
much as possible, use soft
or lime-free water.

Fertilization. Ctenanthe
nneeds to be given
generous amount of liquid
or solid artificial fertilizers.
For foliar fertilizers, use
about 1 teaspoon complete
orchid foliar fertilizers with
trace elements mixed in
one gallon of water, and
drench about 1 cup of this
for each pot once every two
weeks. An alternative is to
use about 6 granules of
controlled release fertilizer
per pot and apply every 2
months.

Potting Mix.
Ctenanthe loves organic
rich soils. Use a mixture of
equal parts of garden soil,
compost and sand.
Healthy plants needs to be
moved into pots one size
larger every year, usually during summer. For seedlings, use 3-inch clay or plastic pots, while 6-
10 inch pots for larger plants.

Controlling Pests and Diseases. Since Ctenanthe are foliage plants, care must be
made not to damage the foliage and to keep them in good condition. Prayer plants are
susceptible to fungal and bacterial diseases, especially leaf spots, rotting and wilting. As much
as possible, practice good sanitation in the garden. Isolate diseased or rotting plants. Allow
ventilation for the foliage to dry once every day. For prophylactic purposes, spray Captan or
Dithane fungicide once a month once diseases occur, especially during the rainy season. To
prevent viral diseases, sterilized pruning shears when dividing plants. To control insects like
caterpillars, mealybugs, mites and scales, use appropriate insecticides. To control snails and
slugs, which usually damage foliage and young buds, apply molluscicides or snail baits, which
are all available in garden centers.

Propagation. Ctenanthe are propagated by division of overcrowded clumps of plants or tip

cuttings, with nodes to form the roots. Mist and reduced light are important during the early

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stages of propagation. For effective survival of transplants, enclose newly potted plants in clear
plastic bags to retain humidity, and keep them in medium light. Remove the bags when new roots
have formed. Some plants produce root nodules which later develop into plants.

Growing the
Colorful Maranta,
Another relative
of the Ctenanthe
The genus Maranta, a member
of the family Marantaceae,
consists of approximately 14 to
20 species, depending upon the
publication consulted. These
clump-forming herbs are
indigenous to tropical Americas,
primarily South America. In

1975, Maranta, commonly called

prayer plant, is closely related to
the Calathea and Ctenanthe.
Marantas are versatile plants
indoors because they can be
used as small specimen plants,
hanging plants which cascade,
ground covers in interiorscapes
and in dish gardens and other
combination planters. Maranta
plants have similar cultural
requirements as Ctenanthe.
(above)

The Urban Gardener is an official

electronic publication (in PDF Format) of the
Plant Biotechnology Project, Research &
Development Center, Rizal Technological
University, Boni Avenue, Mandaluyong City,
Philippines. It is published monthly. For
more information, please inquire thru email:
rdc_rtu@yahoo.com or
plantbiotech_rtu@yahoo.com and landline
(+632) 534-8267 Local 135 or Fax (+632)
534-9710.

Edited by N.R. Bautista © May 2010

The Plant Biotechnology Project

Committee is composed of: Alexander B.
Quilang, Norberto R. Bautista, Jovita A.
Anit & Carnette C. Pulma.

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