Soko, also known as Celosia Argentea or Celosia, is a small species of ornamental and edible plants within an Amaranth family or Amaranthaceae. This name is generated from a Greek word “Kolos” which means “Burned”, and it refers to flower heads whose color is like a flame. This plant is famous within Eastern Africa’s highlands, and is utilized under its name of Swahili or Mfungu.

How to Grow Soko – Step by step guides to Soko growing
Of course, to understand well how to grow Soko, track the following phases:

Firstly, arrange any site within your garden where gets at least five hours of complete sunlight everyday. Soko plants require enough sunlight at least 85 days of heat over 73 degrees F to productively flower.

Secondly, the Soko plants grow within the hottest zone of summer once other plants finish flowering. The big heads of the Soko or Celosia cluster will not grow till late summer, and they will be bigger and bigger within early autumn. The ground, which makes the Soko plants grow well, must be well-drained. You can plant Soko or Celosia within sandy ground as long as the ground or soil is changed with full compost.

Thirdly, manage the planting site by breaking the soil clumps for a depth of 7.5 inches with your hoe, garden fork or shovel. Use a layer of compost for 2.5 inches to spread onto the planting site, and fill the layer with soil of 6.5 inches prior to planting the Soko seeds.

Fourthly, plant your Soko seeds beyond the planting site after frost has gone. The Soko seeds will not sprout unless your soil has the suitable heat, which is 58 degrees F. Therefore, planting early will not result in awful problems on the seeds because it remains productive for a number of weeks. Depress your seeds towards the managed soil and you have to use fine soil of 0.45 inch in order to cover over the planted seeds. Thereafter, space the Soko plants from 7.5 to 11.5 inches apart.

Fifthly, use water to frequently spray on the plants in order to make the soil permanently wet, yet not too soaked. As usual, the Soko plant foliages, which are mature, look slightly wilted, above all, during a flowering season. Thus, the foliages should be fed with permanent water to make them non-stop fresh.

Sixthly, to speed up your Soko plants to grow well and fast in need, try to fertilize them with water-soluble manure 3 times for the period of a growing season. Over-manure application will establish attractive leaves which are vulnerable to tiny flower heads and insect damage.

Simultaneously, the above mentioned method is actually a spare concept for you attempting to be aware of how to grow Soko.

Benefits or nutrition – Why growing Soko
In general, the Soko or Celosia leaves are utilized for stew. Moreover, the leaves, which are soft, and contain taste the same as Spinach, can be invented as different foods. They are, at times, used with palm oil, fresh lime, garlic, hot pepper to make food ingredients and side dishes for eating in particular occasions.

image by Scamperdale

On the other land, planting Soko or Celosia Argentea is rarely focused on foods, but it is popularly planted as garden ornamental plants or gifts for mutual donations on special parties for the reason that its flowers look attractive and make you feel happy or fresh.

image by Scamperdale

Moreover, the Soko or Celosia plant is rich in vitamins and minerals for nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin B, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin D, vitamin K, Zinc, Niacin, Folic Acid, Inositol, Riboflavin and Pantothenic Acid in order to increase food flavor and make human beings’ bodies firm.

image by Dennis laibon muriithi.

According to its vitamins and minerals, the Celosia or Soko plant can be produced as remedies to cure diseases, for instance, permanent deficiencies, chemical reactions, skin allergies, blood diseases, eye problems, sore mouths and diarrhea.