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Questions about Deadheading...
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ParlorjazzJim
Just Arrived
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: Questions about Deadheading... |
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New gardener that I am, I could sure use some advise. I have two different annuals that bloom from spring to fall: Bacopa Cordata Sutera and Torenia. Both are excellent for hanging baskets/urns as they trail/spill over the edge with a profusion of beautiful flowers. However, I'm not sure if I'm supposed to dead-head them or not. The Cordata Sutera were FULL of lavender flowers for 3 wks. As the flowers withered, nothing has bloomed. The folliage is still very healthy. I bought three of them and they are all in the same state - no flowers right now. Aren't they supposed to continuously bloom, or does this type of plant re-bloom all at once, around the same time? Is dead-heading necessary for this plant?
If dead-heading is necessary, when is it too late to dead-head? When dead-heading, how far down the petal are you supposed to cut/pinch out?
Thanks in advance folks!
Jim
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
Joined: 11 Aug 2007
Location: Western Norway (Map)
Posts: 4369
PlantStew: 5671 |
| Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 9:34 pm Post subject: |
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I haven't got many annuals, but the few I have get extra-special care. I dead-head daily. If you leave the spent flowers, the plants will use all their energy to make seed. Cut off the emerging seed capsules quickly, and they'll probably bloom again for you. I pinch just below the dead flower.
_________________
The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.
-Bertrand Russell
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Southern Ontario zone 5
Posts: 4446
PlantStew: 4327 |
| Posted: Sun Jun 22, 2008 11:28 am Post subject: |
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I never deadhead my Bacopa, but find that it has very few blooms when the weather gets very hot. It usually blooms again when it cools off a bit.
I believe that the Torenia needs regular deadheading.
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ParlorjazzJim
Just Arrived
Joined: 06 Jun 2008
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 19
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| Posted: Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:52 pm Post subject: deadheading... |
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Hey Netty & Droopy,
Thanks to both of you. That really helps a lot. The bacopa is blooming again and I've realized that the disappearance of blooms coincided with a 1.5 wk heat wave w/high humidity. The Torenia, I've begun to dead head every day. It has also begun to show blooms again. Thanks for the advise!
PJJim
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Allison
Just Arrived
Joined: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Chicago
Posts: 32
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| Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:50 am Post subject: deadheading |
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I deadhead a lot and it seems to help, although I'm not familiar with those two plants. Perhaps check with a local nursery.
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blackthumb
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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I never know when or if I should deadhead. I'm actually not to sure where to pinch or cut.
I am growing two different flowers... first time for each of these... and truly haven't a clue how to care. Sure and I read the little tag it came with, but it doesn't give much explanation other than watering and sun exposure.
I can't remember the name of the daisy I have. It has a long thick stem... with really big green leaves. I was told to pinch right under the flower bloom... and I was also told to cut at the base of the stem. ????????
The million bells I just made a post about that flower. Some say to deadhead it... and others says you don't have to.. ???????
Love the site and the education...
Last edited by blackthumb on Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:04 pm; edited 1 time in total
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gardengater
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 674
PlantStew: 25 |
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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I try to deadhead plants that I don't want to gather seeds from. It strengthens the plant and also makes it look tidier. I also cut just below the flower. I think some plants just bloom in waves.
Gardengater
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gardengater
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 674
PlantStew: 25 |
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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I think your Daisy is a Leucanthemum. If that's the right spelling I'm surprised, but close. I bought this plant at a nursery and it bloomed beautifully at first, but now it grows very slowly. I've been told these are difficult to start so let us know how it does for you.
Gardengater
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blackthumb
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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I google the flower I have and its a "gerbera daisy"
When I first planted them... LOTS of flowers, as the weather gets hotter the fewer the flowers.
I suppose I should have stated the flower looks more like a sunflower... (but in different colors).
(I have 2 pots of them)(mixed colors).
Last week, I didn't have one flower... last night I checked them... and I noticed in one of the pots.. a few new blooms. Nothing in the others.
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gardengater
Showing Great Promise
Joined: 30 May 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 674
PlantStew: 25 |
| Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:45 pm Post subject: |
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Are you feeding them? A general plant fertilizer should do it, about once a week.
Gardengater
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blackthumb
Just Arrived
Joined: 03 Jul 2008
Posts: 21
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| Posted: Mon Jul 07, 2008 7:53 pm Post subject: |
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No, I haven't fed them anything more than what I planted them in. It had fertilizer in the bag?????
*ponders*
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