2 Pinch or Not 2 Pinch...

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zville123 Zanesville, OH(Zone 6a) May 09, 2009

I have plants that I either start from seed every year or plan to soon. I'm interested in hearing on whether you pinch these or not. Any experiences you've had are appreciated. Please include any pictures you care to share, too. Here's what I can think of off the top of my head: datura, 4 o'clocks, petunias, marigolds, sweet peas, sweet alyssum, nasturtiums, dame's rocket, malva, morning glories. I'm sure I'll probably think of more later. Thanks!

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Smokey_SC Piedmont, SC(Zone 7b) May 09, 2009

I pinch off the dead flowers on petunias. I have let marigold flowers dry on the plant. After the flower is completely dry I remove it and open it to save the seed for the next year.

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zville123 Zanesville, OH(Zone 6a) May 10, 2009

I dead head flowers until I want them to go to seed. By pinching, I mean when the plant is growing to make it have more stems & flowers and it appears bushier.

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dp72 Woodway, TX(Zone 8a) May 10, 2009

I don't see the need for pinching off the growing tips of vines. As the poster said, deadheading, or pinching off spent blossoms, can be either cosmetic or to encourage the plant to produce more blossoms. It depends on the plant. Generally, sterile hybrids don't make seed (hence "sterile") so deadheading for them is purely cosmetic.

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DaleTheGardener Tampa, FL(Zone 10a) May 10, 2009

Zville,

Almost all the plants you mentioned do not benefit from pinching.

The only plant I ever pinch is coleus, it makes them shorter and bushy.

I deadhead most of my flowering plants, but, I get paid to do that>

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