Views: 763, Replies: 13 » Jump to the end |
LysmachiaMoon Aug 20, 2014 6:20 AM CST |
Has anybody ever heard of digging up Cosmos roots and overwintering them as you would dahlias? I swear I heard this on the BBC but it went by *whizz* too fast for me to be sure. They were talking about chocolate cosmos at the time and I wondered if it was ONLY this variety. I know, I know...post this to the Questions forum. *LOL* But I wanted to see if any of us in the MidAtlantic (which has sorta like UK temps) ever did this. THANKS! The end is nothing, the journey is all. |
Name: Karen Baltimore, MD (Zone 7b) typwc Aug 20, 2014 6:41 AM CST |
Hi Annie, I have no experience but I imagine that you could potentially dig up any cosmos, based on what I read on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C...) But I am curious as to why you'd want to do that since they are so easy to grow from seed? ![]() |
Frillylily Aug 20, 2014 7:14 AM CST |
They grow from seed like crazy and I think the roots would dry up if they were dug. they are not tuberous or bulb or anything like that where they store their own moisture like dahlias, elephant ears ect. |
I found them super easy to grow from seed. Overwintering on the other hand I find to be a challenge! ![]() Chocolate cosmos--that sounds nice! :-) "One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards” ― Thalassa Cruso |
PS--you should always feel free to post any question here! ![]() "One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards” ― Thalassa Cruso |
lovemyhouse Aug 20, 2014 4:59 PM CST |
Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) is a perennial and, I think, different from the annuals many of us sow from seed, so perhaps that is why there was a discussion of overwintering? Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) Common Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) Moderation in all things…except chocolate, coffee...and potato chips. |
thanks, Debra! Sounds like a good one to add to my list! :-) "One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards” ― Thalassa Cruso |
kylaluaz Aug 20, 2014 5:46 PM CST |
Oh, well, yes! And it says here: Chocolate Cosmos (Cosmos atrosanguineus) that it is grown from a bulb and may be overwintered inside in colder climates. So, there ya go. (Huh. I thought the orange one I am growing from seed, presumably the sulphureus, was the only perennial Cosmos. Guess not!) |
lovemyhouse Aug 20, 2014 8:35 PM CST |
There is more than one? Cool! Moderation in all things…except chocolate, coffee...and potato chips. |
What I'm reading online is that Cosmos sulphureus is an annual that reseeds and so gives the appearance of being a perennial above zone 5. MoBOT calls it an annual. It appears that the Chocolate Cosmos is a tuberous perennial in zones 7-9 that needs excellent drainage to survive outside in winter, so is often brought indoors. "One of the pleasures of being a gardener comes from the enjoyment you get looking at other people's yards” ― Thalassa Cruso |
lovemyhouse Aug 21, 2014 6:38 AM CST |
Good information to have. Moderation in all things…except chocolate, coffee...and potato chips. |
Frillylily Aug 21, 2014 6:50 AM CST |
so is chocolate cosmos actually a cosmos or is that just a common name to call it? I too had the little orange flower that reseeds every year. |
Frillylily Aug 21, 2014 6:54 AM CST |
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C... well seems there are a few different kinds but still all types of cosmos. sounds like the chocolate cosmos actually smells like chocolate ?! |
lovemyhouse Aug 21, 2014 7:04 AM CST |
That's what I have heard. It's been on my want list for awhile, but seems I either need the funds elsewhere or, when I have the funds, it is always out of stock. ![]() ![]() Moderation in all things…except chocolate, coffee...and potato chips. |
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