how to pinch out

Good morning!This question is going to sound very silly but I really can't figure out exactly what to do when I read advice that says "pinch out". Sometimes it says pinch out the growing tips, sometimes it says pinch out the side shoots. I have looked long and hard at my new clematis plants and my million bells plugs and don't know which bits are the growing tips, also if I remove the side shoots(not even sure which bits they are)what will be left!! Any advice in words of one syllable would be very much appreciated!

 

Side shoot (tomato) These are normally pinched out to promote fruiting on the main vine UK Gardening Photo

For other plants such as annual border plants or fuschias etc. the top growing tip is pinched out to promote additional growing tips from side branches to make a proliferous and bushy plant. Side shoot tips can also be pinched out to make even more bushier growth.

Pinching is normally done with the index finger and thumbnail to snip the growth but for akward to get at shoots you can use a pair of scissors although it is better if the nipped stem is crushed as it seals the plant and helps prevent mould. A clean cut tends to stay open and bleed.

Hope this helps

[ 17. April 2006, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

Barneyb (how are your pansies?)If you want to pinch out your petunia million bells , nip out the first (main) shoot, the others will be growing sideways. This will encourage more side shoots and give you a much bushier plant, there is no need to pinch out any others .

 

Thanks to you both.All of the shoots on the Million Bells seem to be growing sideways and they're already quite bushy so I think I'll leave them alone rather than chop off the wrong bits or too much.
Strongylodon, how is your pansy would be more appropriate as so far only one flower has appeared. There are signs though of others starting to at least think about coming out although I think it will be a while before a photo is called for, maybe around Christmas!

 

Nice butterfly pic.Strongy,not seen that one before,mind if I borrow it?

 

roders,is that how you finger print a man?? :D

 

Oh I get it now "pinch out" didn't know you were a policeman though

 

Barneyb do you really want me to rub it in with the pasies? watch this space.
Roders I'll have to put another pic on now !!

 

Brilliant Strongy where do you get them???????
Mind if I borrow it?
I think Pea of Sweetness uses the same site.



This is my Lucy.....

 

All these smilies are driving me nuts! I've not been around much for a few days and suddenly they're all over the place! And I still can't get at mine!!

 

:D Dendy, first it was the aphids, now it's the smilies! :D

 

Its the flappings that do mu head in - I can't read post for everything flapping at me!

 

And that poor cat's going have his head drop off soon! (Or is there an invisible butterfly on his back!!!)

 

:D Yes same here Waco, I just thought it was my age! :D

I think it's colourful and amusing, but too much of a distraction for me, so have been to My Profile, Edit Profile, Hide Avatars to other users, and it helps!

Wouldn't like to see them go though, perhaps if they were only on there for a very short time, as with the message area........... but the Avatars?

 

barneyb ... they aren't doing too bad!

taken 7.30 this morning after heavy rain