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Deadheading foxgloves

Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
edited June 2020 in Plants
But not in the traditional sense of cutting the main flower spike once it's spent in an effort to produce additional side spikes.

Does anyone ever remove the individual seed pods in an effort to keep the blooming going?

I'd imagine this would typically be more hassle than it's worth with loads of plants but I have 7 foxgloves in a container that seem to be running out of puff sooner than I'd have liked so have given it a go. Can't do any harm if it means less energy is being put into making seed.

Also worth giving them a drink of tomato feed?

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I just remove the spikes. Not sure it's worth feeding, but no harm I suppose.
    Some simply flower earlier too, and your conditions will also have an effect on flowering time. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    Fairygirl said:
    I just remove the spikes. Not sure it's worth feeding, but no harm I suppose.
    Some simply flower earlier too, and your conditions will also have an effect on flowering time. 
    I'll still do that when the main stalk is definitely finished but I'd hope this might prolong the main stalk before we reach that terminal phase...
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Life's too short to remove every spent flower as it fades  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Dirty HarryDirty Harry Posts: 1,048
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1xAUfdK9FE
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