Any tips for chocolate cosmos?

[TheGander]

Just been gifted some bulbs for Mother’s Day. I’d love any tips from those who’ve grown them. Are they hungry plants? Do they need a lot of water? Any pests to look out for? I don’t have a border only pots. We do get a lot of slugs and snails unfortunately. I’m in London so relatively mild. Thanks in advance.

Can't offer any advice other than I bought some once, and mine were irresistible to the local slug and snail population and lasted a matter of days. Never bothered trying again.

Oh dear! I get serious with the slug pellets but the molluscs really are a menace.

Mine grew really well last year but then proceeded to fall over. I'd planted them in really rich soil, so I'd say go easy on the fertiliser, or give them a chelsea chop.

Thanks @CatherinedeBourgh . They’ll be in potting compost which these days, since we have to go peat free, is I believe less rich than old formulations. I’ll remember not to feed too much.