When is best to move my cosmos?

[Jardack]

I thought I had bought the standard ones but seem to have GIANT ones as they're over a metre tall - and therefore can't stay where they are as they are

(a ) overshadowing the hebe and erica and
(b ) stopping me seeing what the girls are up to in the sand pit!

So, when is best to move them? And how best to go about it so I don't kill them off as they are rather pretty

Thanks

Jardack

[jean]

Jarack I grow mine as an annual, though there are perennials too. What type have you got ?

[Jardack]

ummmmm not sure!! I am sure they were perennials when I bought them, just trying to remember where I got them from...

I have a pic somewhere but can't find it on this pc...

Jardack

[Jardack]

Just checked my order history - they are cosmos sonata mixed. Which according to the search I have just done are 2' tall and annuals....

Mine are over 1 meter tall so now I am totally confused

Jardack

[jean]

They can grow to a great height Jardack and are brilliant for the back of the border, but may need some support. Its really easy to take the seeds, I've been taking the dark red and white ones for next year - bet I get pink again

[Spruance]

I tend to grow Cosmos as annuals too. To be honest I didn't realise that there was a perennial variety.

The ones in my garden are also around 3 ft/1 metre tall, and as far as my annual plants are concerned I don't think the full size plants would move very well.

Having just looked it up it appears that Cosmos bidens is a hardy perennial which forms a tuber which can be lifted and replanted the following and subsequent years. Like dahlias for instance. Even so I still don't think you would have much luck moving a full size plant as this is bound to cause some dieback. If yours are indeed perennials, and you can't put up with them any longer in their present position, why not cut them back now and move them to their new positions. Or just cut them back and leave them where they are prior to overwintering.

[Jardack]

Thanks guys

I will leave them where they are then, they must be annuals so I will try and take some seeds (JLottie, can you advise me pretty please??)

At least I already have the supports for next year - will just make sure they're at the back and not the front of the border

Jardack

[jean]

Jardack, just take the seed heads off, they look like little hedgehogs when they are really dry. I just save them in an envelope till next spring. I'm you will find plenty have self seeded anyway and they are easy to dig up and move to where you want them. Hope you didn't pay too much for yours as plants as you will find out next year that they are easy to grow from seed

[Jardack]

Thanks Jlottie

I only paid £5 for 12 of them so not bad, they were tiny little things that I potted on into 5cm pots at first and now they're huge A success for me I think!

Will go on a seed hunt tomorrow afternoon and save them all for next year.

Jardack