Flower Removal Yes or No ?

All my bedding plants are in the GH and growing very nicely . The plants that require it have been pinched out to promote bulkier growth . Now on some plants flowers will be forming soon , is it best to remove these flowers , so the energy is concentrated on stem growth or does it not make that much difference ?

TIA

 

I would take them out. There will soon be plenty more! The ones we buy in the sheds are usually flowering prematurely on a pot-bound root system because it helps sales along if the customer can see the flower but it would be better if they didn't flower so early and they were kept moving into bigger pots as required.

 

Thanks Madahhlia , I'll keep removing the flower buds until the back half of May

 

Definitely agree, I always remove the first flowers!!

Val

 

Want to borrow @Val.. 's dog? I know it enjoys "deadheading" Oooooh, Val... an income opportunity, perhaps? Rent your dog out so much per day?

 

I purchased a Polemonium in a 2 ltr pot the other day, due to time constraints it has been sat in a shadier part of the conservatory, and it is now flowering. Being perennial, would you also take off the first flowers?

And should the method apply to all annual bedding plants?

 

Not sure on that one Gdnam , I usually pick the flower buds off the less vigorous annuals . I tend to leave the perennials alone , maybe you can pick flowers off them?

 

It's years since I had a polemonium and I can't remember what they do & when they flower. If it's the natural season for a perennial to flower I would leave alone, especially as it's in a generous sized pot.
I think the pinching out applies to new-sown annuals that you want to flower all summer and you need them to develop a really good root system to enable them to do so.

 

Thank you @HarryS and @Madahhlia .