Cosmos.

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by Kitte, Jul 29, 2022.

  1. Kitte

    Kitte Gardener

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    What’s happening to my cosmos plants this year, grown from seed ? Last year there was a wealth of blooms this time of year, but out of thirty five plants, only one has a bud or two.
    Does anybody else have problems ? F666FA5A-3CD0-4CB8-8216-FD880EBBC492.jpeg 155D5192-CB3E-41BB-96C3-3746D35763AD.jpeg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 29, 2022
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I can see cosmos in the first photo. The rest don't look like cosmos, more like weeds or even rocket. Are they all from the same packet?
     
  3. Kitte

    Kitte Gardener

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    Yes, all from the same packet. The lower bits are healthy cosmos greenery, the crinkled bits are at the top.
     
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    • JWK

      JWK Gardener Staff Member

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      But all , apart from the first photo, don't look like cosmos leaves.
       
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      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        The last few photos are maybe just repeats. It looks like weedkiller damage, do you use chemicals at all ?
         
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        • Kitte

          Kitte Gardener

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          I know they are the same, I’m finding posting pictures are difficult, the first one was ok, but subsequent ones don’t seem to register. Anyway, you can’t see the lower foliage, because the picture is taken from above to show the crinkly bits.
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I see what you mean about the crinkly foliage. That can happen if they get a whiff of weedkiller, do you use it ?
           
        • Kitte

          Kitte Gardener

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          No I don’t. They are in two separate newly established raised beds, all I have sprayed with in one of them is Muphy’s insect spray on my roses. I wondered if they had been suffering in the heat last week, though I watered every evening.
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          So no chance of weedkiller spray.

          It sounds like you are doing everything right, my allotment neighbours cosmos look good and strong and in flower so I'm not sure what to think except maybe what's in your soil. The other way weedkiller can affect plants is in the compost, what have you used to build up the soil in your new raised bed, any fresh manure ?
           
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          • Perki

            Perki Total Gardener

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            It looks to me like aphid damage which can cause the leaves to distort , they come eventually they just need time .
             
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            • shiney

              shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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              We had a problem with blackfly on the Cosmos this year but they are beginning to look good now - much later than last year but we have been suffering with drought and heat.
               
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              • Kitte

                Kitte Gardener

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                The beds were filled with topsoil by the landscapers and I haven’t added anything to them, I feel the soil should have plenty of nutrients this first year.
                 
              • Kitte

                Kitte Gardener

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                I have had a good look for any pests, but I can’t see anything, certainly no blackfly. I may just give them a good going over with my trusted Murphy’s !!!
                 
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                • Kitte

                  Kitte Gardener

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                  I can see anything, nothing lurking in the curly leaves. The stalks also look weird, very much like parsley, when it’s setting seed. All the seed I sowed were exactly the same, those funny little half moons. I’m well puzzled.
                  Maybe I’m just expecting blooms too early, I was a tad late with my sowing !
                   
                • Kitte

                  Kitte Gardener

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                  I have just read another cosmos conversation and come up with a solution ! Not one for pinching out, I think that may be worth trying. I shall lob off the wrong looking bits and see what happens. I shall report back ! Thanks for all your answers !
                   
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