The Cosmos I've grown from seed and planted in the garden already have
little flower buds on them. However, the plants themselves seem
rather skinny to be producing flowers already. Should I pinch off
these first flower buds to encourage bushier growth? (Although I hate
the thought of removing their first lovely flowers.)

oway (Tyra Trevellyn) wrote in message ...
Bushiness?
From: (Fleemo)
Date: Mon, Apr 28, 2003 3:04 PM
Message-id:

The Cosmos I've grown from seed and planted in the garden already have
little flower buds on them. However, the plants themselves seem
rather skinny to be producing flowers already. Should I pinch off
these first flower buds to encourage bushier growth? (Although I hate
the thought of removing their first lovely flowers.)

Absolutely...pinch and pinch some more. In fact, if you want the plants
shrubby, you can pinch until June and then be sure to deadhead and you'll have
bloomin' cosmos until frost. Watch out for powdery mildew, though; the bushier
plants don't have as much air circulation and sometimes get a touch of p.m.,
I've noticed.

Best,
Tyra
nNJ usa

Thanks Tyra. I appreciate the input.

-Fleemo