Chocolate Cosmos

Ryan180680

For the past few months I've been checking where my chocolate cosmos was planted last year to check for new growth but nothing. I had given up any hope however I've just been out and checked and there is some small growth. Would it only just be coming through now?

Janie B

That’s interesting... I dug mine up earlier this year and put them in smaller pots without much hope of anything happening. One (of five) is just coming up... Am holding out for the other four... 🤞🏻

Rubytoo

Yes it can be quite late, it is still early in the season for these if grown and surviving outside.
They are considered half hardy, so unless you have good drainage and can protect them most people I think lift them for winter.
So you are doing well there.

Were you just looking out for shoots, or poking around?
If you had poked about you can inadvertently break off tiny new shoots.
But I think that it is probably only just taking off.
Temperatures have not been consistently high for long yet.
While they do not like low temperatures or winter wet, it has been a very dry time so maybe the recent rain has got it going.

Ryan180680

I just had a look where I had put the identity tag for them and noticed all the new growth. Got very excited. Was hoping to find the same for my primula vialli but no such joy

BenCotto

Thank you for posting this Ryan. My cosmos was in a pot and overwintered in a sheltered spot tight against the house wall. I periodically checked it, but nothing and as it was occupying a fancy terracotta pot I turfed it out about two weeks ago to replace it with some didiscus.

As I did this I expected the cosmos corms to be a flaccid mush but, surprisingly to me, they were plump and healthy but with no signs of growth. I reported them in a cheap plastic pot and tucked it in the coldframe. Spurred by your post I have just checked them and found a very healthy shoot despite the compost being cool and sodden due to the rain. The pot is now in a warmer, more protected spot, and I will buy a nicer terracotta pot for it if it continues to behave.


 

Ryan180680

Picidae said:

Thank you for posting this Ryan. My cosmos was in a pot and overwintered in a sheltered spot tight against the house wall. I periodically checked it, but nothing and as it was occupying a fancy terracotta pot I turfed it out about two weeks ago to replace it with some didiscus.

As I did this I expected the cosmos corms to be a flaccid mush but, surprisingly to me, they were plump and healthy but with no signs of growth. I reported them in a cheap plastic pot and tucked it in the coldframe. Spurred by your post I have just checked them and found a very healthy shoot despite the compost being cool and sodden due to the rain. The pot is now in a warmer, more protected spot, and I will buy a nicer terracotta pot for it if it continues to behave.


 

No problem. Maybe they're just late this year with the lack of sun

AuntyRach

My Choca-Mocha variety is late flowering - usually August. 

Ryan180680