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How to encourage longer stems?

Posted by triscuitfl 6 NJ (My Page) on
Mon, May 23, 05 at 12:41

Is there a secret to encouraging plants to have longer stems for cutting? I've read mention of pinching the tops and then thinning the sideshoots--but from another post it sounds like pinching the tops discourages long stems. What about sideshoots?

Also, what's the best way to cut to encourage longer stems on new growth--should I cut a stem down pretty low even if it means losing a few potential new buds?

I have a few plants that grow 12-16 inches (mistakenly bought bedding varieties) that I would love to squeeze some cut flowers out of (nicotiana, stock, candytuft).


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: How to encourage longer stems?

Growers of bedding plants use a growth regulator to control height in their plants. They do this so the plants don't get leggy. Most likely the bedding plants you purchased were already in bloom at time of purchase. Sad to say that all the pinching in the world is not going to encourage them to grow taller.

Cutflower growers purchase either plugs or seeds through wholesale brokers. These plants or seeds are specifically for cutflower production.

In the past I have seen 'Rocket' snapdragon and 'State Fair' zinnia for sale at a small local nursery. And, it is also possible to find some nice sunflower seeds to grow as cuts.

Since cutflower plants are not readily available at the retail level to the general public, this year we are taking plants of some of the cutflowers we grow to the farmers markets. We hope to encourage some of our customers to grow a few in their gardens.


 
 

 

 


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