Need help learning how to 'pinch' to make bushier

14 years ago

I am embarrassed to say that because I am a hands-on visual learner & have nobody near me who can teach me in person, I have not yet learned the art of "pinching" (not deadheading, but "pinching" new plants which I grow from seed, in order to make them bushy & more productive).

Is there any visual resource online (online video would be even better!) I tried to find one on youtube but only came up with some lame videos about growing marijuana!! Or can someone describe in detail how to do this and when?

I understand that it is probably much like how I disbud a rose cluster by removing either the terminal (middle) bud in order to make the others all bloom together, or disbud the lateral buds in order to get one large bloom....but somehow I can't figure out how to do this on a zinnia, calendula, rudbeckia, gaillardia, sunflower or whatever else I want to grow! Thanks for any guidance!

:0) Phyl

Comments (6)

irene5020
14 years ago
I'd like to tag along on this posting as I am interested in the same information. I just started working on a farm where I will be maintaining and cutting flowers for bouquets to sell at the farm stand. I would like to expand on Phyl's question, if I may, not only on how do you pinch properly but which flowers require pinching and which ones don't. Does anyone know of a good book or other resource. Thank you, Phyl, for asking this important question. irene
phylrae
Original Author
14 years ago
Irene...so glad you are tagging along on this one...I thought I was probably the only person on this forum who didn't know how to do this! :0) Phyl
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ashley_plant_addict
14 years ago
I too need to learn how to do this. I have pinched many seedlings to find I pinch too hard and snap the stem...leading to a dead seelding. Argh. I hope someone answers soon. Possibly, if no one does I might ask on the container forum.

Ashley
bfff_tx
14 years ago
Phyl
you got it, pinch out the terminal flower stem. Make sure there are some leaf sets (2/3) left below where you pinch so the laterals will develop.
Cheers - Kim
Billabong Fresh Flower Farm
blueberryhills
14 years ago
There's a good post on the Cottage Garden forum about pinching

Here is a link that might be useful: GardenWeb
phylrae
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks, blueberryhills! :0) Phyl