Blind Cosmos

I have just chelsea chopped a lot of perenials, and hopefully will have another good show of flowers later, with the autumn flowering plants. Summer is coming back next week for us, hurrah.

The number of buds on my cosmos has doubled but none are near opening.

Too late for this year, I'm afraid, but if you're growing cosmos from seed or plug plants, leave them in their cell tray until a bud forms then plant out. The depletion of nutrients in the cell tray triggers bud formation and flowering. As Casdon says above, cosmos don't like rich growing conditions.

They've all had plenty of water today!

Let's hope for sun tomorrow.

Have patience - I too thought mine were blind and was so disappointed as I've tried the Pink Lemonade variety this year. They have got to about 18" tall and lo and behold, loads of buds! Just need some sunshine now.

My cosmos and tall and strong still havnt even got tiny buds.

I grow Cosmos from seed every year. I usually plant them in the ground where they grow to about five feet tall!

This year I have grown a dwarf variety and put them in pots. I have to say they have been a bit disappointing this year, with not many flowers. I thought it was because they were dwarf ones.

My dahlias are also a lot shorter than previous years with fewer flowers.

It may be because of the very changeable weather we have had in the UK. Pouring down one week and sunny the next.

Another update! The cosmos are gorgeous! Leggy rather than bushy and not loads of flowers on each plant but what’s burst into flower is smashing. I’ve been tempted two or three times to abandon them to the compost bin, glad I didn’t. And don’t they have a wonderful perfume - I never normally cut them for the house but have some in the kitchen and the perfume hits you as you walk in!

Clearly the lesson is to learn patience - everything has its own time to bloom 😂😂

Finally! I’ve had a sniff but there’s no scent.

Mine are completely blind but have lovely foliage. I was discussing this with my neighbour and she has had the same experience. TBH I think it's the weather!

Mine still without buds, apart from one plant. The rest are strong and healthy. Have picked the top but still nought.
Marigolds the same but it’s the cosmos I really want to flower.
Glad it’s not just me.

Next year I’ll begin a Cosmos 2024 thread and we can compare notes

Mine don't have any buds yet either.

The sunflowers might flower if we get some sun, but so far not a hint of yellow 🌻🌻🌻

Sidelined

Next year I’ll begin a Cosmos 2024 thread and we can compare notes

I’m not sure I’ll try again!

Speaking of sunflowers, we went to a PYO sunflower farm last week and brought some lovely stems home. Within minutes, the bees had found them and were soon wobbling about drunkenly covered in yellow pollen. 😂

Yeah I have found a bud!