Xanthos = terrible, still at the cotyledon stage 4 weeks later (really wanted that one)
I grew Xanthos 3 years ago, they grew well and when a mass of them (about 20) came into flower, it truly was a sight to behold. Then the flowers die and need dead-heading. The problem with Xanthos is that the replacement buds grow from the base of the dead-head you want to remove. If you remove the dead head, you also remove the bunch of buds attached to it. For that reason I've not grown it again. I've read that there is an improved Xanthos called Lemonade which doesn't have the same problem. I may try them next year.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Agree Punkdoc, mine sit on the spare room table, I do keep a radiator on at nights, mainly to keep the Place aired. About 18c. Usually they just sit on my kitchen worktops but seeing as I have the holiday let now, I thought I may as well fill it with seeds.😀 Never had a propagator but mine germinated in a few days, I thought they were the easiest things to grow?
Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor.
I’ve had the same problem with seeds that came from the RHS free seeds that I get as a member. I followed their advice on sowing but have had no success with any of their seeds other than the foxgloves. I was unlucky with cosmos seeds I purchased last year as well, but fortunately the previous year I was successful and they actually self seeded in the beds so I had plants last year. I can’t understand where I’m going wrong as I’ve managed to get sweet peas and tomatoes germinated.
I tried to buy some plugs of tall cosmos but couldn't find any online. I phoned several local nurseries and they said they didn't sell much cosmos because it was unreliable to germinate and breaks too easily in transport. (!)
Xanthos = terrible, still at the cotyledon stage 4 weeks later (really wanted that one)
I grew Xanthos 3 years ago, they grew well and when a mass of them (about 20) came into flower, it truly was a sight to behold. Then the flowers die and need dead-heading. The problem with Xanthos is that the replacement buds grow from the base of the dead-head you want to remove. If you remove the dead head, you also remove the bunch of buds attached to it. For that reason I've not grown it again. I've read that there is an improved Xanthos called Lemonade which doesn't have the same problem. I may try them next year.
That's very interesting @Pete8 If they grow I will bear it in mind. Shame though, it is a lovely colour.
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Then the flowers die and need dead-heading. The problem with Xanthos is that the replacement buds grow from the base of the dead-head you want to remove. If you remove the dead head, you also remove the bunch of buds attached to it. For that reason I've not grown it again.
I've read that there is an improved Xanthos called Lemonade which doesn't have the same problem. I may try them next year.
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
When you don't even know who's in the team
S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
Never had a propagator but mine germinated in a few days, I thought they were the easiest things to grow?