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cosmos seedlings long and leggy

13 years ago

I planted cosmos seeds in pots indoors. They are a few inches tall, but long and scrawny. They have 1 set of leaves so far. Thru research I found that they get like this if they do not get enough sun. So, my question is, when I plant them outside, can I plant them deep, like a tomato plant, to give them more support?

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Comments (3)

dowlinggram
13 years ago
No you can't. Tomatoes grow roots along their stems when planted deep. Cosmos doesn't. I suggest you stake them and give them more light.
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i you did NOT plant all your seed.. plant some more.. and increase light SIGNIFICANTLY ...

speculating... this is what happens.. if you rely only on a window ...

ken
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susanzone5 (NY)
13 years ago
In fact, cosmos will root all along the stem, but I've never done it with a new seedling. Try it. When the plant is older, lay it on its side and it will grow new stems from each node, straight up, with roots along the stem. You get a cosmos bush. It happened by accident one year and I've been doing it ever since.

The seedlings naturally have leggy looking stems, though.

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