'Pinching out'

Hi all,
Do you do this to all flower seedlings? How big should they be when you do it? And how often should you do it?
Seen as I have an abundance of seedlings, I thought I should clarify the basics!!! :rolleyes: :D

 

Hi Windy,there is no need to pich out your seedlings.I assume you mean pinch the top out of them to make them bush out.If you take out any of the tops then they won't be able to produce more leaves.If they have got a bit leggy,then all you need to do when you prick them out into larger pots or seed trays then just bury them a bit deeper.You only need to pinch plants out when they get established and then do it to make them bush out to form a good shape.If you start doing this to your seedlings then all your hard work will have been in vain...Good luck

 

There are a few that benefit from it, Windy, but the main one is sweetpea. Strongy is the one to tell you exactly which ones like it! :D

 

Sorry Dendi,I didn't realise about sweet peas as the only ones I grow are the perrenial ones and I just let them do their own thing :D

[ 11. March 2007, 05:55 PM: Message edited by: Kandyfloss ]

 

Thanks Kandy and Dendy It's a good job I've got this forum or I'd make a right lash up of this gardening malarky!!! :D :D

 

Yeah, Kandy - perennials are handy, aren't they? Just a pity they don't generally have much of a scent.....

Don't think so, Windy - you know what you're doing! :D

 

It is not as simple as it seems, it all depends on what plant it is as to whether it needs pinching out, some need pinching or stopping to produce a bushy plant, some will bush out on their own. As far as bedding plants go the following I do not pinch out, Marigolds, Begonias, Nicotiana (optional), Rudbeckia, Verbena Venosa, Geraniums, Salvia(optional)compact Ageratum, Impatiens, Cineraria Silver Dust, Dianthus, Lobelia, Dahlias, Nemesia, Mina, Amaranthus, Dichondra.
The ones I do pinch out are, Ageratum Blue Horizon, Verbena, trailing Petunias, Fuchsias, Salpiglossis, Calceolaria, Zinnia(depends on type), Antirrhinum, Coleus. There are more but I would have to consult my lists which I don't have at hand.
When to pinch out? most are done at around the 3rd or 4th pair of true leaves(excluding the cotyledons()this is my preference, not set in stone, but I prefer the seedling to become robust enough to cope with such action.
I don't grow many perennials to have an in depth knowledge, but others here do.

 

That's a useful little list, or rather set of lists, Strongy! Thank you! :D

 

Thanks Strongy

 

what about stocks anyone?

 

People get away with Community Service nowdays ... :D sorry wrong stocks, I don't pinch out stocks.

 

oh - ha ha ha strongy!!! we still have stocks in our village, more the shame people not stuck in them any more. THANKS for tip.