Expert: Mike Mascio - 5/3/2008

Question
I have heard that pinching helps the inpatients grown fuller. What part do I pinch? and when?

Answer
Ursula, pinching a flowering plant is simply pruning the new top growth which promotes bushier, fuller plants with side blooms as well as flowering from the main stem. If left to grow unattended, the plant grows taller and sometimes spindly with far fewer blooms.

The general rule is to pinch any plant that will produce multiple blooms, such as flowers and fruiting vegetables. Pinching is not as critical with plants such as broccoli and cauliflower which produce one single head.

Most experts agree that it is best to start pinching flowers and vegetables after the 4th set of leaves. At this stage, the plant is mature and strong enough to tolerate the pinching and is also at the proper stage to set side buds.

Finally, it delays blooming which is very important in young seedlings. Seedlings which are allowed to bloom at too early a stage expend all of their energy on flowering rather than building a strong root system.

I hope this answered your question. Good luck, and please write again if I can ever provide assistance.

Regards,

Mike