Cosmos is a classic cottage garden plant that can transform an area into a brilliant array of colorful flowers. It has an 80% planting success, but these plants can start looking like weeds if they get too leggy. So, we’ll show you the most common reasons for leggy cosmos seedlings and the best time to transplant these young plants to reduce excessive growth.
Leggy Cosmos Seedlings
Issue #1: Low Light
The most common culprit for leggy cosmos seedlings is that your plants aren’t receiving enough sunlight. Cosmos seedlings require at least eight hours of full sun per day.
So, when they don’t receive enough sunlight, they compensate by growing taller, hoping they’ll encounter it.
Not only does this situation result in a leggy plant, but it also diverts nutrients for the plant to grow flowers and strengthen its stem. So, you’ll have cosmos plants that wind, rain, and inclement weather can easily knock down.
Should your cosmos seedlings not receive enough sunlight inside your home, you’ll need to set up an artificial light. You should aim to hover this light approximately 2.5 inches above your seedlings.
Issue #2: Not Encouraging Side Shoots
In nature, cosmos plants tend to grow taller rather than bushier. But when you grow them from seedlings, you can turn them into a bushier and less leggy plant by pinching their tops.
We recommend pinching the area directly above the plant’s true leaves form. You don’t have to worry about over-pruning your seedlings; as long as you leave some of the true leaves in place, your plants will bounce back even stronger.
By using this pinching method, you’ll encourage your cosmos seedlings to develop side shoots. Therefore, you’ll get to enjoy cosmos plants that grow wider rather than excessively tall.
Issue #3: Too Much Fertilizer
Offering your cosmos seedlings soil rich in nutrients is vital for their health and growth. But it’s easy to overdo this situation by fertilizing your plants too much.
Ideally, you should let your high-quality soil work its magic on your young cosmos seedlings without the help of fertilizer. Then, once you near blooming time, you can apply a light coating of fertilizer every two or three weeks.
Reducing the amount of fertilizer you give your leggy cosmos when they’re seedlings will provide them with a better chance for normal growth without developing a leggy appearance.
When to Transplant Cosmos Seedlings
You should transplant your cosmos seedlings after the last frost, given that these plants die quickly in the face of cold temperatures.
Since you’re already dealing with leggy cosmos seedlings, here’s the good news: You can bury a portion of their stems in the soil, creating an instant fix for this problem. The leggy stems will then start growing roots.
However, you can’t use this same method with adult plants, as it contains more leaves, causing issues for the plant to lose some of its area for photosynthesis.
Not only is this method advantageous so that your flowering cosmos are more visually appealing, but the added space for root growth will strengthen your cosmos seedlings.
Therefore, your plant will hold up better against harsh environmental elements that could otherwise beat down leggy cosmos stems.
Curing Leggy Cosmos Seedlings
With pests, fungus, and diseases prevalent in gardens, treating a case of leggy cosmos is refreshingly simple. Since it might already be too late for you to pinch your cosmos seedlings, burying a portion of their stems when you transplant them is an excellent solution.
Don’t forget to plant your seeds indoors and transplant them in an area with full sun. That way, you won’t have to worry much about your cosmos seedlings becoming leggy as adults.