Tropicals & Tender Perennials: Costus Canes, 1 by Tropicanna

Tropicanna wrote:
I'm in zone 7b and according to the research I've done the only costus which is reportedly hardy to my zone is costus speciosus. I have several costus out now that are different sizes, some are taller than me, a couple are between 2-4 feet. I want to leave them all out probably just to see if they'll make it. now my question is, is it a really bad idea to cut back some of the canes? I can't help but think they're probably gonna die anyway, it'd be a heck of a lot of cuttings, but I don't want to leave open wounds that might compromise their ability to make it through the winter

I have speciosus & var. speciosus (have some of both taller than me,,,it's actually budding even, and a small var. one)
spicatus --same, taller than me, budding
arabicus variegata, 4-5 feet, I reeeeeally doubt it has a chance of being hardy, and a smaller one too
Indo wax ginger--I have a monster (pictured...it's big, no blooms of course :)

thanks for any feedback