Remove flowers from new plants?

josusa47 · February 2019

I have just taken delivery of four chaenomeles, a plant I've not grown before, in 2 litre pots. They are bigger than i expected, and look very healthy. They have lots of flowers and two fruits. Would it be helpful to remove these until the plants have had time to get established? They are standing outside in their pots, i plan to plant them out in a few days time.

Dovefromabove · February 2019

I wouldn’t remove them ... I don’t think it’ll be of any benefit to them ... you say they’re well grown and healthy, chaenomeles are hardy and tough as old boots.
I’d wait until the soil begins to warm up before planting them. Keep them outside in a sheltered corner until then. Then if the planting site is well prepared they’ll hardly notice they’ve been moved

josusa47 · February 2019

Thank you Dove, that's very helpful.

Nollie · February 2019

I wouldn’t either, just enjoy them - I agree they are pretty tough and quite drought tolerant too. Which varieties/colours did you get?

I know you are suppposed to remove flowers from some newly planted perennials, like echinacea plants, to give them time to develop a more extensive root system but don’t know if this ever applies to shrubs??

gardenmike7979 · February 2019

I like to remove them on some of my plants, especially when I want them to grow as fast and big as possible since flowers take a lot of energy for plant to produce. I'd rather have the plants use that energy for growth.

Hostafan1 · February 2019

once the flowers have been produced, the energy required has been and gone. I'd just enjoy them.

Remove flowers from new plants?

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