cosmos plugs
I've had a number of Cosmos Rubenza and Antiquity plugs, bought online, developing in small pots for a couple of weeks now and gradually hardening them off. For the last couple of nights I've left them out as it was very mild, but this morning I noticed two had suddenly keeled over with what appears to be stem rot half way up. I'm certain it isn't slug damage.
The plants themselves are about 2-3 inches high and growing well, but with two gone I've only eight left.
What might be the cause of this, because I don't fancy losing anymore. Thank you.
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Hi Peter. It could be a disease called damping off. This is caused by fungi in the soil/compost. As your other plants are in individual pots they might be ok. Avoid over watering.
It was quite rainy but very mild last night hence the reason they remained outside. But reading what has been said, rain, over watering, might very well be the culprit.
In that case then, at what stage would it be safe to leave them out overnight?
Hi Peter, I grow approx. 3000 cosmos a year for retail in a garden centre, your problem is most definitely over watering, Cosmos are a crop that can grow very quickly, but when the temp drops below 14 degrees, too much water makes the plants bow over and then die back, check your local weather forcast for overnight temps, Traditionaly Cosmos seed planting starts at the beginning of may but due to retail attitudes of the larger garden centres, and imports, they now seem to be available from early April.
hazel, I am sure you probably know this, but the cast a clout thing, is not about the month of May, but Mae flower, or Hawthorn.
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