{"product_id":"flower-cosmos-sensation-candy-stripe","title":"FLOWER-COSMOS-SENSATION-CANDY STRIPE","description":"\u003ch2\u003eHow to grow Cosmos-\u003cb\u003eSensation-Candy Stripe\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003col\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a position \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein full sun. Select a spot that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for the best flowering.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSow seeds directly \u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003einto the garden after the last frost \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eor raise seedlings\u003cb\u003e \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ein trays for earlier blooms. They transplant easily if handled gently\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003ePrepare light well-drained soil thought they \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewill perform well even in poor soils.  Avoid overly rich soil, as this encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers.  \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSow seeds at \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eapproximately 3–5 mm deep and lightly cover with soil.  Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during germination.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eSpace plants \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eabout 25–40 cm apart to ensure good airflow and healthy growth.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eWater lightly and consistently \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewhile seedlings establish.  Once mature, Cosmos are quite drought-tolerant and prefer slightly drier conditions.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid over-fertilising as it \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ewill result in lush foliage with fewer flowers.  Cosmos do best with minimal feeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eDeadhead \u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eregularly to encourage ongoing flowering throughout the season. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eStake if needed i\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003en windy areas or if planted in rich soil, as plants may grow tall and benefit from light staking to prevent flopping.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAllow some flowers to set seed and \u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ed\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ery on the plant towards\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e the end of the season.  Collect seeds for the next planting. \u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAdditional growing tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCosmos ‘Candy Stripe’ flowers can vary significantly - some blooms may be lightly edged while others show bold pink streaks. This natural variation is part of its charm, not a fault.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePlants grown in poorer soil conditions often produce more flowers than those grown in rich soil.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverwatering is one of the most common causes of poor flowering - Cosmos prefer slightly dry conditions once established.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCosmos can self-seed readily if flowers are left to dry on the plant, making them ideal for low-effort, repeat displays year after year.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe tall, airy growth allows light to filter through, making them excellent companion plants that won’t heavily shade neighbouring crops.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFlowers may appear slightly different in colour intensity depending on temperature - cooler conditions often produce stronger pink striping.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCosmos are highly attractive to bees and beneficial insects, helping improve pollination in vegetable gardens.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePinching out the growing tips when plants are young can encourage bushier growth and more flowering stems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eDespite their delicate appearance, Cosmos are quite wind-tolerant once established, especially in well-drained soils.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThey make excellent cut flowers, but harvesting regularly also encourages the plant to produce even more blooms. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHeritage of Cosmos-Sensation-Candy Stripe\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCosmos bipinnatus is native to Mexico and parts of Central America, where it grows naturally in warm, open landscapes. It was introduced to Europe in the late 18th century and quickly became popular in cottage-style gardens for its delicate foliage and long-lasting blooms.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe ‘Sensation’ series was developed as an improved, large-flowered strain, bred for taller plants and more vibrant colours. ‘Candy Stripe’ is a distinctive variation within this series, selected for its unique bi-colour petals - white with irregular pink to crimson edges and streaks.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\n\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThis variety has remained a favourite among gardeners for its easy-growing nature, naturalised appearance, and ability to reseed freely, making it a reliable and enduring heirloom-style flower in gardens around the world.\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"Direct Compost Solutions","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55020602818932,"sku":"FLC-SCS","price":3.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1006\/7171\/7748\/files\/FLOWER_COSMOS_SENSATION_CANDY_STRIPE.webp?v=1785570877","url":"https:\/\/directcompostsolutions.com\/products\/flower-cosmos-sensation-candy-stripe","provider":"DIRECT COMPOST SOLUTIONS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}