Cosmos atrosanguineus
James Waddick (Sun, 16 Sep 2012 07:25:11 PDT)

Dear Friends,

I am sure regular readers of this forum and of the wiki are
aware of the odd history of this tuberous species. See
http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/index.php/…

The plant was originally collected in Mexico, then believed
to have become extinct. All cultivated plants are a single clone
propagated by micro-propagation or division of its Dahlia-like
tubers. The plant is sterile and produces no seed.

A few years ago a fertile seed strain was 'discovered' in
New Zealand and has slowly entered cultivation. Seedlings can be
crossed with the established clone to produce fertile seed and at
least a couple of new cultivars have been developed.

By an odd coincidence I was recently given a small quantity
of seed of this still very rare plant. Of course, having never grown
it from seed, I'd appreciate any guidance from any of this group's
members who may have grown this species from seed or some
suggestions on how best to succeed.

It is still too rare to mess up. Appreciate the expertise of
PBS members. 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 +