Hometalk is where people share and help with everything home & garden

Blogger International Falls, MN on Jul 05, 2012

Does anyone know why my cosmos have started getting small blossoms with short petals?

I don't fertilize them much because I don't want them to flop over. I do deadhead every couple days. The blossoms on the right are fine, but the left blossoms are tiny, almost distorted and have very short petals.

Like Clip

Several of the newer blossoms are very small. Hardly any petals.
Like Clip

Also deformed. Some petals missing. I didn't see any bugs. Should I spray with Ortho Max or Sevin anyway?

10 Comments

Douglas Hunt New Smyrna Beach, FL

Very weird, OC, but when I click on your photo it enlarges to a photo of a door. Anyway, aphids are a possible cause of distorted blossoms. Give your plant a good blast of water and see if that gets rid of them.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Sheri B Orange, TX

When I did the picture mine did the same thing, got a door. I agree with Douglas, there must be a bug in the flower. do as he says if that does not work then try an organic pest spray. Walmart carries a brand but I don't remember the name.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Organized Clutter International Falls, MN

That door is not even my photo! I will check for aphids.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Dee W Rock Creek, OH

Ha!-that door is from the "Father's Day gift for my geeky husband" post. Your flowers are very pretty, hope you get this solved.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Vicki Smyrna, GA

i love those pink and dark pink colors. i used to have lots of them but no more to come back for years. do not know why. boo hoo.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Miriam I New York, NY

That door thing must have been some kind of weird bug (no pun intended). I clicked on the photo and got a flower. Let me know if you still see the door.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Organized Clutter International Falls, MN

I removed the door photo and reposted new ones. I used my ipad for that photo. Not sure what happened.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Miriam I New York, NY

That is bizarre! I'll make sure we look into this. Thanks :)

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Donna Dixson Buford, GA

Try holding one of the flowers over the palm of one hand while tapping the bloom either against the palm or with a pencil. Thrips are another bloom disturber. If it is them, they will fall out of the bloom and onto your hand, they are tiny little critters and will scurry away pretty fast. I couldn't tell from the pictures if there is any spotting discoloration on the leaf blades. Which could be a sign of either the thrips or aphids .
Try a good pesticide application for either or.

on Jul 05, 2012 · Like 0
Organized Clutter International Falls, MN

Thanks!

on Jul 06, 2012 · Like 0