Cosmos seeds and planting!

Discussion in 'Gardening Discussions' started by kriss, Apr 8, 2018.

  1. Plosh

    Plosh Apprentice Gardener

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    I think I'm right in saying that Cosmos are natives of Africa so they can probably survive without daily watering.
     
  2. Verdun

    Verdun Passionate gardener

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  3. Loki

    Loki Total Gardener

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    I'm interested to know which varieties you are growing ( being nosey really :biggrin:)
    I've grown 'purity' for a few years, without much luck :frown: it's probably been my negligence :whistle:
    This year I'm growing fizzy picotee and bright lights. Bright lights seem so much more sturdy, picotee are still delicate but coming on nicely :spinning:
     
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    • KFF

      KFF Total Gardener

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      Cosmos are from Mexico and Central America.
      They were introduced into Africa as a weed.
       
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      • martin-f

        martin-f Plant Hardiness Zone 8b

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        • kriss

          kriss Gardener

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          FA318D9D-2344-4FAA-9EE5-867BE6350B73.jpeg One of arguably the top 2 of 25 I’ve grown was destroyed by the winds!!!!!! Arghhhh!!!

          It was tucked behind a wall and I stupidly thought it was safe! It snapped at the base!

          Is it a total right off or miraculously is someone going to say “actually, you can....”
           
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Has it actually snapped off at the base Kriss? If so, then yes it is a write off. Otherwise cut cosmos back by half or more and tie to short cane. :)
           
        • kriss

          kriss Gardener

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          Yea... it’s hanging on by a thread. I take it pruning back to a leafless stump will kill it....

          ...compost heap?
           
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Yep. Compost heap. Learning curve Kriss? Next year pinch them back hard for a robust plant:)
           
        • luciusmaximus

          luciusmaximus Total Gardener

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          If the plant has snapped off at the base and the root system is still intact in the soil, why won't it regrow ?
           
        • HarryS

          HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

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          Good question Lucius, plants normally don't , not a clue why ? One for our gurus .
          I have not grown Cosmos for a few years . The last ones I grew were the Gazebo variety. They grew that big that they would break under their own weight . So @kriss staking the more exposed ones may be advisable. Lovely flowering though :blue thumb:
           
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

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          Ok, it might Lucius :). Often though when annuals are damaged like this they seem not to :noidea:
          However, if it did it would likely struggle for a few weeks occupying space that something else could. :noidea:
          Yes, staking would help with cosmos but it tends to encourage even more legginess.....much better to pinch plants back a few times to make self supporting sturdier plants I think :)
           
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