What is wrong with my Cosmos?
By Lily2
Berkshire,
United Kingdom 
I have 6 Cosmos plants in seperate parts of the garden. The foliage has become mottled on all of them, they look like they have been splashed with white paint. I thought it may have been caused by contact with liquid feed but have just discovered from a friend who bought some at the same time that hers are the same. Is it a virus and should I destroy them? They are still flowering well although foliage discolouration is worsening.
21 Aug, 2009
Answers
Thanks for your reply Doctorbob. I've had Cosmos for many years but this does not seem to be like the normal winding down, the leaves are almost striped (sorry it wasn't a very good picture) and still plenty of flowers and buds. Still as you say, they will be coming to the end of their life soon so it doesn't really matter. They just look strange.
22 Aug, 2009
Hi Lily,
This could be a passing animal who does not like the smell of Cosmos on it's territory and has sprayed it with a neat dose of ammonia.
22 Aug, 2009
Could be right there DB, plenty of those around!!
22 Aug, 2009
They are coming to the end of their life as the nights get cooler. Dry warm days also harden the foliage.
21 Aug, 2009