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Pinching out

PosyPosy Posts: 3,601
in Problem solving

I grow cosmos from seed and they usually do very well but a friend said they would be better if I pinched them out. What do you think? She suggested you should pinch out all annuals. I'm a bit frightened of taking out the growing tips in case they just give up and refuse to grow at all.

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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 3,277
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  • flowerbunny85flowerbunny85 Posts: 30
    I agree with hollie hock, just do a few and see what happens it doesn't harm sweet peas I don't think it will harm your cosmos, in fact pinching out is supposed to produce better growth and flowers later on, good luck!!
  • Ronnie PatersonRonnie Paterson Posts: 27

    Hi Fellow Forum Members, 

     

    I have planted sweet peas year on year,  however I just never get the pinching out process correct.  Can you please let me have an idiots guide,that this year I may experience a cascade of scented sweet peas? 

     

    Your advice will be much appreciated and faithfully applief.

     

    Yours aye

     

    Ronnie 

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190

    Pinch out cosmos several times take all buds off wait till you have a big bushy plant before you plant out. I do this with all annuals.

    I pick out the third pair of leaves kn sweet peas.

    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • ightenighten Posts: 184

    I always pinch out Cosmos .. The taller varieties really benefit from this making bushier plants that never stop flowering and more importantly  stand up to the wind better.

     

    Re sweet peas I pinch the third leaf out (above) then often again when I plant them out. As soon as it warms up they go crazy (I throw a handful of comfrey pellets into the mix as I plant them out)

  • PosyPosy Posts: 3,601

    Thank you, I will give it a try.

  • Clemmie2Clemmie2 Posts: 1

    Thanks for the tips about pinching out,as a gardener for many years I have always hesitated on doing this.

    But hey I am now off out into the cold frame to nip back my annuals.

     Chrissie

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