Can anyone advise on Jewel Box plants?

I recently bought 48 ';jewel box';...';Celosia cristata'; plants (they look similar to multi-colored cocks combs)..I followed the planting directions, as far as spacing, etc. It stated on the pastic info spike supplied with the pants, ';Easy to grow in any soil. Prefers warm, dry conditions'; (although when I planted them, the soil they were in seemed rich and moist). It said they should have full sun to part shade. I have them in a large garden circle, that receives sun most of the day. Without much water(although it said that they prefer warm, dry conditions), the plants seem to wilt, and the leaves droop. If I water them...the leaves turn yellowish and the plants dont seem to flourish. I have used some plant food, in the soil, just to provide some extra food, as the circle is not very rich soil. I'm not an experienced gardener...this is my first home...l.but I REALLY want these to thrive. They looked so pretty in the nursery...can you help??Can anyone advise on Jewel Box plants?
maybe you are watering them to much or not enough check out this web page on them


Growing Celosia


Plant seedlings 8 inches apart in full sun and well-drained soil.


Plant seeds indoors six to eight weeks before your region's last frost, then plant outdoors 8 inches apart.


Keep soil moist. Cockscomb does best in hot, slightly dry conditions, but will wilt if overly dry. Avoid wetting the flowers or leaves to prevent fungal diseases.


Fertilize every four weeks or so. Cockscomb benefits from regular fertilizing.


Pull out and discard in fall, once frost kills these plants.


Celosia Plant Care


Cockscombs are easy to grow from seed, either indoors under lights or outdoors in the garden.


Space plants 8-12 inches apart depending on expected height of the variety you are planting.


Cockscombs grow best when mulched.


Spray the foliage of flowering annuals with a dilute solution of liquid fertilizer to give them a hot weather energy boost.


When the plants die with the first hard frost, remove them to the compost pile but keep the beds mulched right through the winter, ready for next year's plants.





, good luck http://flowergardennews.com/COCKSCOMB-WO鈥?/a>