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Annuals/marigolds

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Expert: - 6/11/2003


Question
I am hoping that you can answer a question for me.  I am looking to prolong the bloom of my marigolds.  As the flowers fade, should I snip off the flower or pull the pedals off?

Thanks,

Steve

Answer
Steve,
Steve,
Removing the wilting flowers is called “deadheading” and what is important is removing the developing seeds.  From the plant's point of view, the entire purpose of making flowers is to attract pollinators and produce seeds that will pass on the plants genetic information to the next generation.

SO… if you remove the developing seeds, the plant has not done its job, and will keep making flowers in order to make more seeds.  When you deadhead, clip off the swollen area just beneath the wilting flowers… this is where the seeds are forming.  A quick snip of the stem below the spent flower will insure more flowers on your marigolds.  I hope this helps!
C.L. Fornari

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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