Chief Red, native to the Mediterranean and parts of Africa is a professional-grade cultivar that was developed for the cut flower industry, producing rigid stems and dense, non-fading red flower heads. The series is prized for its uniform performance and high yield in both greenhouse and outdoor production settings. These plants require full sun and well-drained soil to support their robust stems throughout the summer and fall. Landscape applications include back-of-border plantings, large floor containers, and fresh or dried cut flower production.
Chief Red Selling Tips
Chief Red is an excellent choice for customers looking for cut flowers or dramatic garden structure. This series offers a the stem strength and flower density required for both professional bouquets and large-scale landscape displays. Its heat-loving nature is another benefit as well as its blooms that maintain their saturated color even in intense sun. The excellent vase life and suitability for drying make it a versatile choice for home decorators and floral enthusiasts alike.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
Provide a light, constant feed of 100 ppm Nitrogen, ensuring sufficient potassium is provided to prevent abnormal flower shapes. Your soil pH should remain between 5.8-6.2. The chief series is sensitive to day length and stress. Maintaining 13 or more hour days during propagation can prevent premature budding and stunted growth. Your greenhouse should remain between 65-75°F during the day and shouldn't fall below 61°F at night.
Flowering
These are heat-tolerant annuals that will bloom continuously until the first sign of frost. Bright uniquely shaped plumes should begin appearing 13 weeks after transplanting.
Pinching
Do not pinch Chief Red, as the plants are bred to produce a single, high-quality central flower head .
Spacing
For best results, space plants 4 inches apart. Mechanical support such as staking or netting may be required to prevent the plants from lodging.
Pests
Monitor your crop for insects including aphids, thrips, cut worms, and nematodes.
Disease
Chief Red is susceptible to botrytis, downy mildew, pythium, and rhizoctonia. Maintaining good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can reduce disease pressure.
Planting Chief Red Liners
Plant one plug per four inch container and three to four plugs per ten inch container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Celosia Chief Red Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
8-10 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
11-13 Weeks
Bloom Period
Summer, Fall
Color
Red
Habit
Upright
Height
32-40 Inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
61
Perennial Zone
-
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
Current
Availability
Current Availability
08-17-2026 (Week 34)
0
08-24-2026 (Week 35)
0
08-31-2026 (Week 36)
0
09-07-2026 (Week 37)
0
09-14-2026 (Week 38)
0
09-21-2026 (Week 39)
4,000
09-28-2026 (Week 40)
4,000
10-05-2026 (Week 41)
4,000
10-12-2026 (Week 42)
4,000
10-19-2026 (Week 43)
4,000
10-26-2026 (Week 44)
4,000
11-02-2026 (Week 45)
4,000
11-09-2026 (Week 46)
4,000
11-16-2026 (Week 47)
4,000
11-23-2026 (Week 48)
4,000
11-30-2026 (Week 49)
4,000
12-07-2026 (Week 50)
4,000
12-14-2026 (Week 51)
4,000
12-21-2026 (Week 52)
4,000
12-28-2026 (Week 53)
4,000
01-04-2027 (Week 01)
4,000
01-11-2027 (Week 02)
4,000
01-18-2027 (Week 03)
3,900
01-25-2027 (Week 04)
4,000
02-01-2027 (Week 05)
4,000
02-08-2027 (Week 06)
4,000
02-15-2027 (Week 07)
4,000
02-22-2027 (Week 08)
4,000
03-01-2027 (Week 09)
4,000
03-08-2027 (Week 10)
4,000
03-15-2027 (Week 11)
4,000
03-22-2027 (Week 12)
4,000
03-29-2027 (Week 13)
4,000
04-05-2027 (Week 14)
4,000
04-12-2027 (Week 15)
4,000
04-19-2027 (Week 16)
4,000
04-26-2027 (Week 17)
0
05-03-2027 (Week 18)
0
05-10-2027 (Week 19)
0
Chief Red, native to the Mediterranean and parts of Africa is a professional-grade cultivar that was developed for the cut flower industry, producing rigid stems and dense, non-fading red flower heads. The series is prized for its uniform performance and high yield in both greenhouse and outdoor production settings. These plants require full sun and well-drained soil to support their robust stems throughout the summer and fall. Landscape applications include back-of-border plantings, large floor containers, and fresh or dried cut flower production.
Chief Red Selling Tips
Chief Red is an excellent choice for customers looking for cut flowers or dramatic garden structure. This series offers a the stem strength and flower density required for both professional bouquets and large-scale landscape displays. Its heat-loving nature is another benefit as well as its blooms that maintain their saturated color even in intense sun. The excellent vase life and suitability for drying make it a versatile choice for home decorators and floral enthusiasts alike.
General Growing Tips For Your Seedling Tray
Provide a light, constant feed of 100 ppm Nitrogen, ensuring sufficient potassium is provided to prevent abnormal flower shapes. Your soil pH should remain between 5.8-6.2. The chief series is sensitive to day length and stress. Maintaining 13 or more hour days during propagation can prevent premature budding and stunted growth. Your greenhouse should remain between 65-75°F during the day and shouldn't fall below 61°F at night.
Flowering
These are heat-tolerant annuals that will bloom continuously until the first sign of frost. Bright uniquely shaped plumes should begin appearing 13 weeks after transplanting.
Pinching
Do not pinch Chief Red, as the plants are bred to produce a single, high-quality central flower head .
Spacing
For best results, space plants 4 inches apart. Mechanical support such as staking or netting may be required to prevent the plants from lodging.
Pests
Monitor your crop for insects including aphids, thrips, cut worms, and nematodes.
Disease
Chief Red is susceptible to botrytis, downy mildew, pythium, and rhizoctonia. Maintaining good air circulation and avoiding overhead watering can reduce disease pressure.
Planting Chief Red Liners
Plant one plug per four inch container and three to four plugs per ten inch container.
Rooted Cuttings
Cuttings vary in size between different plant families. These rooted starter plants will arrive ready to be transplanted in to your final container. If they are to be used in a landscape application, you will need to establish them in a 4 inch pot or an 1801 before planting outside.
Celosia Chief Red Quick Reference Guide
4 Inch crop time
8-10 Weeks
10 Inch crop time
11-13 Weeks
Bloom Period
Summer, Fall
Color
Red
Habit
Upright
Height
32-40 Inches
Light
Full Sun
Minimum Temp
61
Perennial Zone
-
Water Needs
Moderate
Patented Plant
No
Edit Product
Catalog Request Form
Email Discounts and Coupons Form
Before we take this relationship any further...
It looks like this is the first time you've added anything to your cart.
We just wanted to remind you that we are a wholesale starter plant company that sells to businesses, schools, clubs, and other non-profits. State law dictates that you must be growing for resale to order from us since we are not collecting sales tax.
If we aren't a match, we understand. It's not you, it's us.
We would look awful in orange jumpsuits.
