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Annuals/CUTTING ANNUALS

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Expert: - 10/29/2006


Question
READY TO PLANT OUR ANNUALS.SOME SURVIVED 5 MONTHS AS WE LIVE IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA. OUR QUESTION IS, THE ONES THAT SURVIVED ARE LONG AND STRINGY. THE FLOWERS ARE STILL ON THE
LONG STEMS, CAN WE CUT OR PRUNE THEM AND NEW ONES WILL GROW BACK?  

Answer
Don,
It kind of depends on what annuals you have, but in general, if you cut them down by one half to two thirds annuals will usually put on new growth and bloom more.  If the annuals you planted like cooler temperatures (allysum, million bells, ageratum etc) they should take off now that winter is here.  If they are annuals that like warmer temps (zinnias, marigolds etc) they might not do as well.  Others, such as petunias, impatiens and the like might take a short resting period and then grow again and bloom gangbusters!

After you cut them back give them a MILD liquid fertilizer after you've watered them well (never fertilize a thirsty plant) and from then on use fertilizer according to the directions.

I hope this helps!
C.L.

Annuals

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C.L. Fornari

Expertise

Annuals suggested for specific situations (sun, shade, windowboxes etc) New or unusual annuals are a particular interest of mine, and I grow many of these from seed. I am happy to help problem solve, answer questions about maintenance, and guide you to sources of unusual plants.

Experience

I am a garden writer/speaker/consultant and host of a weekly gardening radio program in the Northeast. I have been gardening all my life for my own pleasure, and started as a professional gardener and garden communicator 15 years ago. I work part-time at a garden center, selling and tending shrubs/trees/annuals/perennials...and doing some propagation and design work. I often think that all these professional activities serve to put a somewhat legitimate framework around a serious case of plant-lust.

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