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Cosmos and Marigold seedling advice

andy.mchughandy.mchugh Posts: 21
in Problem solving
Hi All

I have started to grow from seed this year and my Cosmos and Marigolds have shot up in seed trays which are in a propagator (see below). Should I be potting these on now?


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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're just seed leaves, so no, they can't be moved yet.  :)
    They're very etiolated which is usually from lack of light and too much heat. This is the problem with sowing very early. 
    If you have more seed, sow some at the end of the month with no extra heat, just on a windowsill or similar. They won't shoot up quite so rapidly and will be able to go out after hardening off, once there's no risk of frosts.
    Cosmos can also be pinched out when bigger, to make them bushier, which also helps if the weather isn't suitable for getting them outdoors and they're growing well  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Those have bolted, as they are not getting enough light.
    IMO it is too early to be sowing Cosmos [ although plenty will disagree ] You need to find a place with better light, and I would not start them until the end of the month, or April, which is when I sow mine.
    Marigolds, cover both hardy annuals, and tender annuals. If they are hardy, you could sow them outside at the end of the month.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Snap @punkdoc ;)

    I forgot to say - those are unlikely to thrive as they'll be so weak, so another sowing is a better bet anyway. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Great minds, @Fairygirl.
    Or, the other alternative........
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    punkdoc said:
    Great minds, @Fairygirl.
    Or, the other alternative........
     :D 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CrazybeeladyCrazybeelady Posts: 778
    I grew some too early a couple of years back and I was tearing my hair out in the end- they all got so big but it took so long before I could put them outside. They were great all year admittedly but I wouldn't sow early again. April earliest!

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    Cosmos will germinate in days. I would leave it until April too.  They don't need cosetting - just plenty of natural light.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • coccinellacoccinella Posts: 1,428
    @andy.mchugh Don't worry, we have all been there starting seeds too early. Restraint is so hard to master at this time of year. 

    Luxembourg
  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    I blame the seed companies,  they state ‘sow between February and May’. It’s obvious new gardeners will want to get on at the first chance, not knowing any different. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Indeed @Lyn. It isn't helpful for new gardeners at all.
    I made that mistake over and over again, thinking it was something that I was using that was wrong, or the usual over/under watering scenario, until I realised that my conditions didn't suit sowing in February. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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