Red hot poker advice

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Colo, Jun 18, 2018.

  1. Colo

    Colo Apprentice Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2018
    Messages:
    15
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +14
    Hi,

    I was looking for some advice on dead heading red hit pokers.

    Mine have finished blooming and I have read we can get new blooms this summer by dead heading.

    I have read conflicting ways to deadhead, one being to cut just below the flower and the other to cut right down at the base.

    Are both correct?

    They are such striking plants I would love to have another round of blooms.

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • zilly

      zilly Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 11, 2017
      Messages:
      291
      Gender:
      Female
      Location:
      South West England
      Ratings:
      +577
      Hi Colo,

      I've always cut the faded stems right back to base and this way nearly always get more blooms.
       
      • Agree Agree x 2
      • Colo

        Colo Apprentice Gardener

        Joined:
        Jun 18, 2018
        Messages:
        15
        Gender:
        Male
        Ratings:
        +14
        Thank you. To be honest I am not sure as they were here when I purchased the properly a couple of years ago.

        I have attached a photo if that helps (hopefully it works)

        [​IMG]

        They have been in flower for a few weeks but now ending. On the left you can see where I deadheaded a couple of them.
         
        • Like Like x 2
        • Verdun

          Verdun Passionate gardener

          Joined:
          Oct 16, 2012
          Messages:
          7,475
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          West Cornwall
          Ratings:
          +17,486
          Kniphofias flowering here too Colo. :)
          Yes, as soon as the flowers start to go over cut them off right to the base. Do not leave them as you have done, viz, cut below the old flower head. Depending on variety, yours will reflower again occasionally; or as with many of the dwarf types (Glow/Popsickle) will flower all summer long :)
           
          • Like Like x 1
          • Useful Useful x 1
            Last edited: Jun 18, 2018
          • Jack Sparrow

            Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jul 24, 2017
            Messages:
            2,604
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Peterborough
            Ratings:
            +5,414
            No kniphofia out here. It's strange because there are plenty of them out and about in full bloom.

            G.
             
            • Like Like x 1
            • Verdun

              Verdun Passionate gardener

              Joined:
              Oct 16, 2012
              Messages:
              7,475
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              West Cornwall
              Ratings:
              +17,486
              Dont worry.....I think you have Knip Mango if I recall and once it starts to flower it will comtinue. Just add an occasional scattering of fertiliser Gary :)
               
              • Like Like x 1
              • Colo

                Colo Apprentice Gardener

                Joined:
                Jun 18, 2018
                Messages:
                15
                Gender:
                Male
                Ratings:
                +14
                Ha thank you. Its more of a good photo rather than gardening skills. But I'm trying to put in a bit more effort this year as it's my new found therapy. :) I'm in Hertfordshire, I believe it's a SW facing garden.

                Thank you. I will cut down to the base instead. I hope they come back up. I thought I had lost them in the Autumn as my puppy took a fancy to nosediving into them due to the moisture.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • Colo

                  Colo Apprentice Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 18, 2018
                  Messages:
                  15
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Ratings:
                  +14
                  Hi again,

                  I just wanted to check this was correct.

                  I cut them down to the base and a whitening of the cut tip has appeared
                  [​IMG]

                  Sorrt if this is a silly question but If they do grow again, does it grow from the same place or does it just mean that it doesn't put it's energy into the seeds and the flowers could pop up elsewhere.

                  Thanks
                   
                  • Like Like x 1
                  • Verdun

                    Verdun Passionate gardener

                    Joined:
                    Oct 16, 2012
                    Messages:
                    7,475
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    West Cornwall
                    Ratings:
                    +17,486
                    Same place, same plant Colo :) Likely to flower again this summer. A tomato feed will help this :)
                     
                    • Like Like x 1
                    • Colo

                      Colo Apprentice Gardener

                      Joined:
                      Jun 18, 2018
                      Messages:
                      15
                      Gender:
                      Male
                      Ratings:
                      +14
                      Thank you, I have tomatoes feed so will give it a go. I am missing the vibrancy they brought to the garden :)
                       
                      • Like Like x 1
                      • Gail_68

                        Gail_68 Guest

                        Ratings:
                        +0
                        Hello @Colo I had two of these in our garden a few years back but got ruined with my dog keep urinating up them :sad:

                        They flower well once a year well mine did in june /july and gave a lovely show like yours and what I often did as I found it helped the plant was just removed any dead growth that died beneath the plant as it comes away easy and you'll find your next show the following year comes better plus in the autumn I used to cut the actual leaves down to a certain length because when snow comes it can crush them down heavy if left long :)
                         
                      • Verdun

                        Verdun Passionate gardener

                        Joined:
                        Oct 16, 2012
                        Messages:
                        7,475
                        Gender:
                        Male
                        Location:
                        West Cornwall
                        Ratings:
                        +17,486
                        Kniphofias here make a nice, summer long flowering display. Early removal of flower spikes helps too as does the choice of variety. I have a few in flower now and will post pictures as the season develops.
                        Check out a relatively new breed of kniphofias with finer foliage, shorter and more prolific flowers and with some exciting new colours.....fun names too like Popsickle Mango, Pineapple, Lemon, Papya, Orange Vanilla etc.:)
                         
                        • Like Like x 1
                        • Jack Sparrow

                          Jack Sparrow Total Gardener

                          Joined:
                          Jul 24, 2017
                          Messages:
                          2,604
                          Gender:
                          Male
                          Location:
                          Peterborough
                          Ratings:
                          +5,414
                          20180627_135558.jpg

                          This is how my mango popsicle looks. Lots of healthy looking leaves. No sign of a flower stalk yet though.

                          G.
                           
                          • Like Like x 1
                          • Verdun

                            Verdun Passionate gardener

                            Joined:
                            Oct 16, 2012
                            Messages:
                            7,475
                            Gender:
                            Male
                            Location:
                            West Cornwall
                            Ratings:
                            +17,486
                            Any day soon Gary....make sure it doesnt totally dry out. :)
                             
                            • Friendly Friendly x 1
                            Loading...

                            Share This Page

                            1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                              By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                              Dismiss Notice