Troubleshooting
Double Click Cranberries Cosmos problems — and how to fix them
Double Click Cranberries Cosmos (Cosmos bipinnatus) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Stem lodging
Tall stems vulnerable to wind; stake in exposed sites or use a pea-netting support frame in the cutting garden.
Aphids
Treat with insecticidal soap at early infestation; check undersides of leaves regularly.
Botrytis (grey mould)
Remove spent double blooms promptly as the dense petals trap moisture and promote mould.
Poor germination of double forms
Double-flower cosmos sometimes yields a proportion of single-flowered seedlings — this is normal genetic variation.
Thrips
Cause petal distortion; treat with spinosad or neem oil in early morning.
Prevent double click cranberries cosmos problems before they start
Most double click cranberries cosmos issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Double Click Cranberries Cosmos problems — FAQ
Why is my double click cranberries cosmos stem lodging?
Tall stems vulnerable to wind; stake in exposed sites or use a pea-netting support frame in the cutting garden.
Why is my double click cranberries cosmos aphids?
Treat with insecticidal soap at early infestation; check undersides of leaves regularly.
Why is my double click cranberries cosmos botrytis (grey mould)?
Remove spent double blooms promptly as the dense petals trap moisture and promote mould.
Why is my double click cranberries cosmos poor germination of double forms?
Double-flower cosmos sometimes yields a proportion of single-flowered seedlings — this is normal genetic variation.
Why is my double click cranberries cosmos thrips?
Cause petal distortion; treat with spinosad or neem oil in early morning.