Pricking out cosmos
As its leggy cosmos seedlings time I thought some may like to see how to prick out very leggy seedlings. I let mine grow on in the seed tray until at least 4" tall, these are 6" they don't need nutrients, the poorer the better for them.
Get a module tray or individual pots, fill with compost, then make a groove diagonally across the pot, lay the seedling on, almost up to the first leaves then gently push down in the centre so the root is uppermost, then gently curl the root end around the pot, don't do them too early, they'll only shoot up again and this way they have grown much sturdier and stronger stems. Pick out the middles and pot on again by the same method when the roots have filled the pots, keep picking out tops and ends of side shoots and plant out when you've got a nice big plant.
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thanks Lyn, I didn't realise you could bury as much of the stem. and thanks for the pictures, they helped me confirm which of my seedlings are actually cosmos. I forgot to label everything this year
AGAIN!
I have leggy cosmos in a small pot at the moment. I am thinking if I can transplant them into the ground directly this weekend rather than potting on? I have limited space on the windowsill (too many other plants) therefore do you think the shortcut will be ok?
If you do that Page, they won't be there tomorrow, you have to keep potting them on until you get a nice sized plant, the slugs will eat them and it's too cold at nights. You need to keep picking out the middles until you get a bushy plant.
of course, it's entirely up to you what you do, it's just my opinion.
you can curl them up Lily, they will grow even stronger.
Have not been able to get my cosmos to germinate this year. Tried new seed and new compost. Failed. Other seeds seem OK. There's always next year.
they germinate so quickly there no need to sow then before 1st April, Monty Don sows on the 1st June and has flowers right through autumn.
Make a note of when you sow the seeds, then next year sow 3 weeks later.
i won’t be sowing zinnia fo at last another week.