Have you seen this on a Cosmos before?

johnnypenstemon · July 2021

Morning all, can anyone explain the “bobbles” on these Cosmos sulphurous grown from seed? They should be flowering orange like the one pictured, but appear to have bolted, despite never developing buds or blooms. They have been kept in small pots for too long which won’t have helped. Can anything be done to help like removing the bobbles, or is it too late and they are doomed for this year? Many thanks, Johnny

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/vo/wbxq6shdxvk8.png

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/h1/9myyelcdg1cw.jpg

B3 · July 2021

That's a different plant. Compare the leaves.

Pete.8 · July 2021

Definitely not a Cosmos I'm afraid - looks more like millet to me

Fairygirl · July 2021

Yes - likely from a dropped bird seed or similar.
Not cosmos.

Red maple · July 2021

I agree, it's not a cosmos. The leaves are different. As Fairygirl says, it has probably come from a dropped seed or maybe bird seed if you feed the birds?

BobTheGardener · July 2021

I think it's Fat Hen (Chenopodium album) so would get it out before it seeds everywhere. You can always eat it to get your own back!

https://www.wildfooduk.com/edible-wild-plants/fat-hen/

fidgetbones · July 2021

Definitely a chenopodium sp. get it out.

Dovefromabove · July 2021

I agree … Fat Hen Chenopodium album.

johnnypenstemon · July 2021

Thanks all, much appreciated. The seeds came from China via Amazon and I monitored the seedlings’ progress carefully throughout, so it looks as though I was sold some duff stuff. I cut up and composted the Chenopodium before reading this (or I would have eaten it, thanks Bob!). Will this give me a problem with my compost down the line?

Fairygirl · July 2021

That's the problem with buying seeds from China. It's often just rubbish. Make sure you say so on their site.

Always better to buy from a reputable source here in the UK.

Lyn · July 2021

Reputable source here.. for 1.69 you can have enough seeds to last you years.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/FLOWER-COSMOS-BRIGHT-LIGHTS-SEEDS/dp/B00ABIZVAK/ref=asc_df_B00ABIZVAK/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=265736570528&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16851619179321627984&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006502&hvtargid=pla-561157830633&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

Have you seen this on a Cosmos before?

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