Cosmos and Sweet Williams

16 years ago

I have the same questions for both of these.

1) do they continue to bloom ?

2) should I dead head them ?

3) if I want to gather seeds when should I stop dead heading

4) how do I recognize/ collect seeds from these 2 ?

I am so happy to finaley have Cosmos. The last 2 years were pathetic (gardeners error I'm sure) and this is the first bloom for my sweet williams .

Thanks in advance.

Kathy

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Comments (7)

bakemom_gw
16 years ago
I don't deadhead either one of these, so I can't help you. However, I have gathered tons of seed from both. Cosmos will have brown spikey seeds stick out from the middle - you just gently pick off. Sweet Williams will turn brown and the tubular pods will open at the top when the seeds are ready - just shake them out. Very easy and fun.
tiffy_z5_6_can
16 years ago
My experience is that cosmos will continue to bloom stronger if deadheaded than if not, and Sweet Williams may - notice the word 'may' - send out another flush. Sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. Temperamental little things.

I used to have loads of Cosmos, but haven't had them for the last few years. I received seeds of the Cosmos Seashells and can't wait to see them in the gardens again!
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cinda66
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So far I love the cosmos seashells. I re-sowed some in a container June 4th on June 8th they were not only sprouted but almost 2 inches tall.
If the flowers are as pretty as they photos I've seen, they are going to be a staple in my garden from now on.
vera_eastern_wa
16 years ago
I've never deadheaded any species of Cosmo, but I did get repeat bloom from deadheading the Sweet Williams all last year. Mine are actually blooming for the 2nd year this :D

Vera
gardenluv
16 years ago
Do Sweet Williams bloom the first year?
Kathy46
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank You all. I think I will dead head a few Sweet Williams and leave some for seedheads. (gotta collect seeds) In my experience sweet williams did not bloom the first year. They were worth the wait though.
I did do some deadheading on the cosmos but will stop. I'd rather get seeds this year than a rebloom. next year I can have 2 plots and experiment.
This years crop of ws flowers is just extrodinary !! The only thing I lost was snapdragons and some Zinnias due to too much rain .(gardener error again)

Kathy
Kathy46
Original Author
16 years ago
Hi !

Just wanted to thank you all. Collected my first cosmos seed. Boy is it fun. You can seed the fat black seeds sitting in there.
Still playing around with the sweet williams. I want to make sure they're ripe for plucking.

Kathy

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Cosmos and Sweet Williams

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Cosmos and Sweet Williams

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