I had this all typed up, and hit the wrong, dang, button !
I'll try again !
Glysophate (Round up*) doesn't need to touch the plant..or even "drift" to it, to affect it. As it evaporates(gasses off), the fumes are enough to "do the damage". it actually affects the "buds" on the rhizome, where the stalks "sprout from", so use, even very early in the season, can affect blooms.The effects aren't permanent , so next year's bloom will be OK, and even later stalks THIS year will probably be alright. Herbicides with 2,4 D ALSO gas off...and, of course, the higher the temperature, the worse it is. I use both kinds of post emergent productes, and, as careful as I think I'm being, I always have a few blossoms / plants, that are damaged. Read the directions...follow them..be careful ! They will damage YOU, or your pets, too !
That said, "chemically affect" blossoms CAN really be pretty ! Most times, they have a "waxy" look, with thicker petals, and colors leaning more to "pastel" appearance .
