Lupins - when do I remove the flower spikes please?

Hello, for the first time, I've got magnificent Lupins in my garden. I know that the flower spikes should be removed before they go to seed, but at which point? Some of the spikes have started going over, from the bottom upwards. Do I wait until it's ALL dried, all the flowers gone over or earlier please? I can post an image if needed.

Many thanks

Springy
x

 

Depends you could let them go to seed then harvest the seeds.

 

I deadhead my lupins once the flower heads start to look less attractive - at the moment mine are still 100% fresh flowers, but once they start to die off, at about 1/3 to 1/2 way up, i'll dead head, then wait for new ones (smaller, but still lovely!).

 

Many thanks for this info. I took one off yesterday, I would say that was about 1/3 gone over. It does seem a shame though, doesn't it to discard when there is still plenty of flower on the stalk! I'll try and wait 'til 1/2 gone I think, and see how it goes.

Thank you,

Springy
xx

 

good question, i was about to ask it too!!

 

I tend to leave mine til most of the flowers are faded. It does mean that it takes longer for the new shoots to appear, but I like to enjoy the flowers for as long as I can. Who knows - the slugs may spoil the new shoots :-)