Expert: C.L. Fornari - 5/7/2009

Question
Hello,

Can you please explain the proper way to deadhead geraniums?  Do I remove the entire stem or just the flower?

Thanks,

Carol


Answer
Carol,
When deadheading any plant the important part to remove is the area just under the flower because that's where the seeds will develop. You want to take off the seeds so that the plant will respond with more flowers in attempt to once again create seeds.

I'm going into this because some people think that the only thing that they have to remove is the wilted petals.

Now on to geraniums: although to remove the spent flowers and developing seeds all you have to do is snip under the flower, this leaves a substantial stem on these plants that is pretty unsightly. So usually these are deadheaded by snipping the stem down into the plant - you can leave an inch or two as this much is usually covered by the leaves, and the short piece you leave usually dries up and falls off anyway.

I hope this helps!

C.L.