Cosmos atrosanguineus
James Waddick (Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:53:04 PDT)

Dear Friends,
I think there is some confusion here, so let me re state my
earlier note.

It is believed that ALL extant plants of this species (once
known as 'Bidens)are self sterile plants All plants are the result
of division or now more often tissue culture i.e micro-propagation.
Thousands if not tens off thousands are sold annually.

Some unknown time back a report came that the plant believed
to be extinct in its native Mexico was found and seeds collected. The
growth of these seeds, production of new seeds, distribution is
completely unknown to me. I'd appreciate some facts on this.

A few years ago a couple of gardeners in New Zealand became
aware that their fertile seed producing garden plants were quite
unique and made seed available to a couple British growers. Some of
this is detailed here

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=6197.60 (Thanks David).

Seed produced in the UK has been distributed sparingly. Kew
gardens has also been involved in growing these new seedlings.

The old sterile cone has proven fertile if crossed with any
of the new seedlings confirming its self sterility, but willingness
to produce seed if out crossed to another individual.

The few seeds I was given came from a UK source.

A couple of interesting items:

It would seem appropriate that the original widely grown and
propagated clone should now have a cultivar name to distinguish it
from new named cultivars.

There is at least one new named cv 'Choca Mocha'
http://bigdipperfarm.com/cgi-bin/searchstuff.pl/…

Surely more named cvs will be introduced.

But back to my original request.... Do any of our members
have experience growing seeds of this species?

Thanks Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +