Pinch PETUNIA CORRECTLY! V Lately it became very fashionable to decorate backyard flower beds colorful flowers that delight with beautiful inflorescences throughout the summer. Petunia also belongs to such plants, and its many varieties allow flower growers to experiment and create interesting compositions. It should be noted that this flower is extremely whimsical, it is difficult to grow it from seeds, but even when it is possible to get beautiful seedlings, this does not mean at all that the plant will please with its appearance. Everything requires care and attention, this flower is no exception. In order to get luxurious flowering bushes, you need to pinch the petunia. As a result of pinching, the petunia begins to actively produce side shoots. The bush from this looks more lush, strong and healthy. More new branches guarantee more buds and flowers. At the same time, the quality of flowering also increases: it becomes long and plentiful. The first pinching of petunia seedlings is done over 4-5 leaves, removing the apical bud. Inhibition of apical growth will cause the awakening of lateral buds, from which shoots will begin to develop. When forming ampelous petunias, it is also useful to pinch them in the phase of 4-5 leaves. The following pinching procedure (planted in open ground) spend after the plant planted on permanent place residence. At the same time, there should be at least five leaves on the upper shoot. It is necessary to choose the highest shoot, count three or five leaves from below, and pinch off the rest. The growing point of the petunia will change, instead of growing upwards, it will sprout lateral stems. Pinching delays flowering by about 2 weeks. But not one flower will bloom, but several at once, and as a result, the buds will turn out to be larger. Before pinching the petunia next time, you need to wait until the bush grows well. To make it thicker, you can shorten some of the side stems. The resulting cuttings can be rooted by placing them in water, thereby obtaining an additional petunia bush. A remote shoot takes root quite quickly in water, and it can be planted in open ground or in a separate pot. Before planting on the plant, you need to cut off all the leaves, leaving only the top ones. It is necessary to monitor the appearance of the plant. All wilted flowers should be removed in time, because they not only spoil the appearance of the bush, but also interfere with the formation of new buds. This is especially true for varieties with large inflorescences and terry petunias. Such simple actions will allow you to get great pleasure from contemplating these beautiful flowers.
Petunia conquers hearts with beauty, brightness, long decorative period, unpretentiousness. In care, the plant is undemanding, however, one of the necessary procedures is pinching.
This simple operation allows you to grow a compact, lush bush, strewn with bright multiple flowers. We will learn how to properly pinch a petunia, and what conditions are necessary for the procedure.
The pinching procedure is also called tweezing and is a breaking off / pinching off / cutting off the apical part of the shoots. Translated from German, the word "tweezing" means "remove the end", and this translation perfectly reflects the essence of the procedure.
The purpose of the operation is the awakening of the lateral buds on the shoots, which are dormant before pinching.
After the procedure and healing of the cut site, the remaining stem thickens, sometimes becomes woody, becomes stronger, stocky. V better side the shade of foliage changes - it becomes brighter, more saturated. The axillary buds swell, become more voluminous - as a result of this, the flowers that then bloom from them delight with their large size and splendor.
Pinching as a whole is then required in order to get stronger shoots, a more lush bush and more beautiful, bright flowers and foliage. This procedure is aimed at increasing the external attractiveness, decorativeness of petunias.
Benefit
Find out why you need to pinch a petunia.
crown formation
This is the main focus of the procedure. Pinching makes it possible from a small sprout to get a compact and magnificent flowering plant pleasing to the eye for a long period. A well-groomed and properly shaped crown always looks much more neat.
Termination of growth of apical shoots
Due to the fact that pinching eliminates the top of upward-growing shoots, lateral branches begin to grow more actively. As a result, the petunia does not stretch, but becomes a round small bush, which looks more attractive.
In addition, the more side branches there are, the more flowers will appear, not to mention the increase in bushiness.
Lumbering of the lower part of the shoots
Though petunia and herbaceous plant in fact, the lower part of its shoots after pinching becomes very strong, almost lignified. Thanks to this, the plant will be stronger, stronger and more resilient, able to withstand weather disasters.
When pinching, what conditions are needed
Pinch the petunia when the seedlings begin to actively grow. And this is a clear sign that it is better not to delay the procedure - otherwise the seedlings will stretch out, and the bush will turn out to be ugly. By the time of the first pinching, 40-50 days should have passed since the seeds were planted.
Pinching only healthy plants: it is advisable to immediately remove weak and inferior seedlings so as not to waste time and effort on them. In what condition should the plants be: at the time of the procedure they should be grown up, stronger, have several leaves (no more than 5-6).
You will need garden shears or a small pruner, as well as a container in which you will put the cut off apical parts of the shoots. Next, you will learn how to pinch a petunia step by step.
Process description
In short, pinching a petunia is removing the top of the shoot above the fifth or sixth top sheet. The procedure is carried out with a pruner, and some flower growers simply use their own fingers, breaking off in right place the escape.
Due to the fact that the main shoot is broken, a new active growth point is formed in this place, from which lateral shoots will branch in different directions. Please note that immediately after the procedure, petunia seedlings slow down their development, but quickly recover and begin to grow even more actively.
If the seedlings are intended for planting in open ground, the procedure is also carried out after the rooting of seedlings in a new place. However, after transplanting, several days must pass for the plant to adapt.
When grown in greenhouse conditions pinching is usually carried out after the pick has been made, since there is no point before.
Walkthrough:
- find the very bottom of the sprout;
- count 5-6 leaves from the bottom, maybe 4;
- we pinch the part of the shoot located above the counted leaf with a pruner (fingers, scissors);
- sprinkle the cut wood ash.
A month after the first procedure, a second pinching is usually performed.
Attention: no more than one-fifth of the plant shoot can be removed in one procedure. Some flower growers are late and then immediately cut off a third of the shoot, or even half: such a gross intervention does not benefit the plant, it can even destroy it.
How to pinch for abundant blooms
In order for petunias to please with lush and long flowering, ideally you need to pinch them twice: at the stage of appearance of 5-6 leaves and the second time - after transplanting into open ground.
Particularly responsible flower growers also carry out the third procedure, when the petunia is already actively growing after transplantation. And this triple pinching allows you to achieve the most successful and impressive results in the form of a lush-flowering, bright petunia bush.
How to pinch different types of petunias
Gardeners grow several popular types of petunias:
- cascading;
- ampelous;
- cluster;
- terry.
Consider the features of pinching all these varieties.
cascading
This plant needs to be pinched two to three times during the growing season. The procedure will allow the plant to actively bush and become more magnificent. When trimming a cascading petunia, you need to imagine how it will then look, since shaping this type of flower is especially difficult. It is important to achieve a uniform shape, symmetrical on both sides.
Ampelnaya
This plant is already initially, at the genetic level, designed for the formation of a lush, well flowering bush. Therefore, many varieties (especially new ones) ampelous petunias pinching is not needed at all. However, the first pinching of seedlings is still desirable - it will guarantee that the bush will turn out to be well branched.
Bush
The plant is pinched traditional way in order to achieve correct and curvaceous bush.
Terry
Since everything terry varieties- hybrid and breeding, they rarely need pinching. They initially form lush bushes with abundant leaves and flowers, so the procedure can be neglected. An exception is made if the seedlings are strongly extended in one direction.
Let's talk in detail about important nuances procedures and petunia care after it.
To minimally injure delicate seedlings, carry out the procedure carefully and only with clean tools.
If the shoot is weak, do not pinch it strongly, especially do not cut off the leaves. Such an instance must be treated with care, since otherwise it may not survive the procedure or become ill.
It is best to carry out the procedure in the evening, when the sun sets below the horizon: at this time, the rays become not as scorching and aggressive as during the day.
When pinching a petunia not at home, but in the open field, choose a dry and warm day for the procedure - the cuts will heal faster.
To make the buds larger and brighter, do not forget to fertilize the petunias with suitable minerals when leaving. The plant responds very gratefully to top dressing. After the next pinching, feed the petunia - it will recover faster, grow more actively.
Competent care should also include watering, spraying, removing faded buds. Such care will positively affect the health and appearance of the plant, make it lush, decorative, pleasing to the eye.
In order for the side shoots to grow faster and become more branched, it is useful to lower the air temperature at night.
Flowering petunias can also be pinched. However, at the same time, no more than 2-3 shoots from the plant are removed in one procedure. Additional spraying succinic acid will allow the plant to survive the operation more easily.
There are cuttings left - what to do with them
After the pinching procedure, strong, high-quality and healthy tops of the shoots usually remain - a complete planting material. Thus, with the help of the remaining tops, you can make your petunia population even richer.
To germinate such a cutting, you need to remove from it lower leaves. Otherwise, they will rot in the water as the roots grow. After removing the foliage, the stalk is placed in a container of water. Then you need to wait a while until the roots appear. And after their appearance, the stalk is planted in the ground in the usual way (see photo).
Do not forget to pinch the cutting when it actively grows and begins to stretch.
What varieties of petunias pinch
Not all varieties of petunias need a mandatory pinching procedure, but only:
- old varieties, long bred;
- amateur varieties;
- flowers from their own seeds.
All these types of petunia are not very decorative without pinching, so they must be pinched exactly. If such varieties are allowed to grow as they should, they will get elongated, non-compact bushes with rare flowers and stunted foliage. And abundant flowering will not wait.
However, there is good news - and these are new, hybrid breeding varieties. Scientific developments are aimed at breeding such varieties of petunias that would need minimal care and at the same time bloom magnificently.
Therefore, most varieties bred in last years, or do not require pinching at all, or minimal. However, it is necessary to pay attention to the conditions under which the cultivation takes place - in low light and in tight quarters, the plants will still begin to stretch upwards.
If a similar misfortune happened with a hybrid petunia, you can eliminate the elongation chemicals Athlete type. However, for most flower growers, the shaping mechanical procedure in the form of pinching is better than the use of "chemistry" once again.
So, we learned how to properly pinch a petunia so that it blooms long and luxuriantly. The procedure is absolutely necessary - if you are going to grow a petunia, keep this fact in mind. Without pinching, the bush will turn out to be inconspicuous, shapeless, and there will be few flowers.
Watch the pinching procedure in the video.
You should familiarize yourself with the basic rules and methods of professional pinching so as not to damage the plant. Here are some recipes:
First rule. The right time for the procedure. The first pinching occurs after planting sprouts in open land. Wait a while for the plant to gain a foothold and adapt to new conditions so as not to injure it. Petunia takes root well if you observe a few subtleties. Plant seedlings not too densely, so that there is room for root growth. Do not forget about abundant watering (2-3 times a day plus spraying). Feed the roots and stems with leaves four times a month with a spray bottle and soil fertilizers;
Second rule. We observe the state of the stem. The time of circumcision has come if the flower began to actively grow up and strengthen. If so, the petunia can be safely handled. We count four leaves from the beginning of the aerial part and pinch off the upper shoot, which pulls the specimen up. Do not be afraid that flowering will slow down, this necessary measure for the formation of side shoots. Within a month, you will be able to observe the lush growth and flowering of new buds. The second time we pinch an already blooming petunia, this can and even needs to be done. Such manipulations will help prolong the period of flowering and growth;
Third rule. Remote shoots will still be useful to you, with their help you can grow new seedlings. Everything is very simple - put our stalk in water with fertilizers, and it will take root. Now we can transplant a new nightshade into the ground, before that, having previously removed all the leaves except for the top ones, this is such a 100% productivity.
Fourth rule. It is not necessary to pinch hybrid petunias, they will be bushy anyway.
Little pinching tricks for beginners
The pinch is thin and laborious process processing. Do not confuse it with pinching, coloring and circumcision. Try to pinch off the shoots, this does not require any additional tools, only observation and caution. Remove damaged or diseased parts of the nightshade in time, get rid of dry, wilted sectors. Be more tolerant of weak, scraggly shoots, and don't cut their leaves too much. Knowing how to pinch a petunia correctly, do not overdo it with pinching, do the procedure no more than once a month. Work easier with large-flowered varieties, but small-flowered specimens are less whimsical to weather conditions so the choice is yours.
If you do not have ampelous petunias, but they are stretched out, then apparently they do not have enough light and their stems stretch up too much. In this case, prune them (cut too long stems to half) and provide them with brighter light (if this is not possible, then put them under a lamp daylight in a day).
Why should you pinch a petunia? This is done so that the stem does not become too elongated and does not distort the appearance of the plant. Again, due to the too long stem, the flower in most cases falls or bends under its own weight. After removing excess shoots, new shoots begin to appear at the cut site, on which buds grow, thus the bush becomes richer and brighter.
Remember: Petunia seedlings should not be allowed to grow, otherwise the moment of pinching will be missed.
first clothespin do,when it starts to rise rapidly. You should count 5 leaves from the bottom of the stem and pinch off the top shoot - the growth point(To when the shoots are 7 to 10 cm long.). After this procedure, flowering will slow down somewhat, but the side shoots will begin to grow actively.The earlier it is done, the more side shoots are formed.As a result, there will be many large buds on the bush.
second clothespin produced with a shoot length of more than 10-15 cm, removing the very end of the shoot so that the flower buds are already laid.
Further you can carry out a clothespin only strongly grown shoots, for uniform growth of the bush.
As a result of the clothespin, the petunia begins to actively release side shoots. The bush from this looks more lush, strong and healthy. More new branches guarantee more buds and flowers. At the same time, the quality of flowering also increases: it becomes long and plentiful.
Advice:- Do not use the operation for seedlings in boxes and young immature sprouts, do not mix different varieties and timely rid the soil of weeds and pests. Remember, petunias, like other decorative species, need constant attention and care;
After pinching, the removed shoots (3-4 leaves) can be put in a jar of water and, after the appearance of small roots, use them to grow new petunia bushes;
Throughout the season, it is necessary to remove wilted flowers in time, this will contribute to the formation of new buds on the plants.
Petunia care doesn't end with pinching
So that the bushes do not lose their decorative effect, you must always monitor the flowers, removing the inflorescences and dried petals along with the seed pods. They should be removed so that the plant does not waste caloric substances on setting seeds. This will all help the rapid growth of new, very large buds. Plus, the dry parts of the plant greatly distort the beautiful appearance the whole bush.
When transplanting plants into pots, the volume of pots should be chosen depending on the variety of petunia. For example, for cascading petunia it is better to choose large pots, with the expectation of 10 liters per 1 bush. Smaller pots are suitable for regular petunias. For example, 3-4 petunia bushes can be planted in a 5 liter container. If the pot is too small for the plant, it will bloom much poorer.
Petunia ampelous: pinching
In order to achieve maximum flowering, pinching the ampelous petunia should be done twice. The first time it is recommended to do this after the seedlings are planted in open ground, but not immediately. Give the plant time to mature. Now watch: as soon as the planted shoots begin to actively grow and stretch, the moment has come (approximately the month of May). Count 3-5 full-fledged leaves from the bottom of the stem (this is the growth point of the plant), and everything on top needs to be pinched off or cut off. Do not be alarmed if the growth of the flower slows down a little, but it will start to sprout side shoots. The result of this will be abundant flowering and large buds.
Do not throw away the cut stems, they can be put in water and they will take root. Before planting, leave only a couple of leaves, and cut off everything else, as in the first case.
Do not forget to do the second pinching of the ampelous petunia after a month.
How nice it will be to admire such a flowering plant as ampelous petunia. Pinching will form lush bushes strewn with bright, beautiful flowers.
Sources: kakprosto.ru; mjusli.ru
BEAUTY TO YOUR GARDEN!!!
Your LUBASHA BODYA
To please the eye lush and beautiful bushes abundant flowering, you need to know exactly how to pinch a petunia correctly. If petunias are allowed to grow on their own, then it will simply stretch out, and the flowers will be small. Correct pinching(tweezing) main point growth will certainly stimulate the growth of the lateral stems and after 12 days, the edge in two weeks, the ovaries of flowers will appear on them, which is what we are striving for.
How to properly pinch a petunia later dates development to give certain form? In the purchased seedlings, the first tweezing has already been done. Repeated - performed depending on the variety. Therefore, we will focus on how to properly pinch a petunia unpretentious varieties and breeding (here - the best varieties these beautiful flowers) hybrids.
The importance of tweezing for any plant
Pinching is cutting off either with scissors or breaking off the top of the stem with your fingers. After it is carried out, the remainder of the shoot thickens, the buds in the axils become larger, and the color of the leaves is more saturated. The process is carried out so that young strong stems with flowers grow and the plant acquires a delightful appearance.
It should be noted that the method only works if the pinching was done before the end of the growing season.
The first pinch - on petunia seedlings
We perform pinching in the following way:
- We form a seedling as soon as it began to gain strength and grow.
- The best time to pinch is when the petunias have developed a few (5 - 6) leaves. If this is not done on time, the seedlings will stretch out, the bush will not have a spherical appearance, the stems will not branch.
- When planting a flower in the ground, tweezing is performed after it has rooted and adapted (usually at the end of May). In order for it to take root well, it needs to organize suitable conditions for development: we plant seedlings not densely, then they will develop better, fertilize (feed) them under the root, regularly moisten and sprinkle the leaves with water.
- When seedlings are kept in a greenhouse (we grow them together with others), we make tweezing only after diving. Plants quickly (in a few days) adapt. And then they can be cut.
- The formation is carried out with secateurs or fingers. Above the last (5 - 6) leaf of the petunia, we remove the apical bud. This will create a new point for the stems to grow and branch.
After all the actions, we make the last emphasis on the cut powder of the flowers or wood ash or powder activated carbon. In order for the seedling to recover faster, it would be nice to spray it or spill it with plant development stimulants: Zircon or Epin.
After the event, seedlings slow down growth, but gain strength. The appearance of the petunia becomes spherical when the lateral stems grow.
Escape length for separation
The separated part of the shoot should be 4 centimeters, but still it is better to be longer. If you cut off the thinnest place on the stem (tip of the shoot) of the flower, then other shoots, developing in this place, will break off in bad weather and wind.
We do not forget to fertilize the soil weekly, and regularly moisten the shoots of the plant, preferably every second (third) day.
Repeated pinching of petunias after landing in open ground
Pinching must be repeated 2-3 times, and not only on the central, but also on the lateral stems of flowers. We perform this action when they grow up to 13 - 15 cm. To improve the shape and rich flowering of petunias, it is advisable to shorten the shoots 28 - 30 days after the first procedure. At the same time, there should be at least 5 leaves on the main process.
Ampel varieties do not need re-pruning. But in many varieties, one of the branches continues to quickly stretch, taking food and strength from the rest. In some cases, an ovary also appears on it. Then it must be urgently pinched with scissors (secateurs). To do this, count 3-5 leaves from below and cut off the rest. The growing point of the petunia will change. It will not grow up, but will start side shoots.
I draw your attention to the fact that after tweezing, flowering is postponed for 12 - 14 days. But in the end, not 1 flower will bloom, but several, and the buds will be larger.
Before the next pinching, you need to wait until the bush grows. After that, we shorten the elongated stems, as a result - the flowers will be more dense. At the same time, I recommend making a cut closer to the base of the branch, and not pinching only the crown.
In order for the vegetation to please with abundant flowering, this operation must be performed without fail.
An adult flowering plant is cut with a view to better development bush and increase the time of its magnificence.
What to do after pinching
With regular shortening of shoots and increased growth of petunias, constant feeding with a growth stimulator and complete mineral fertilizer. Otherwise, many thin stems will develop. It is possible to achieve returns from a plant only when constant watering and proper care.
We remember that it is necessary to cut off wilted flowers in time (do not pull them out, but pinch off from a branch with a pedicel). Forming testes, they take strength from the plant.
In the lion's share of cases, petunias are tweezed 2-3 times: in the seedling phase, after planting in the ground and during the growing season. But if the third pinching can be neglected, then in the phase of seedlings and planting in open ground they are mandatory.
Remember that pruning is stressful for our flowers. For this reason, after it, the bushes freeze a little in development, but the development of lateral stems, which form large buds, intensifies.
- Try not to injure the sprout too much. We use clean tools for tweezing.
- We form a bush at a petunia in a timely manner. Delaying the process is bad for development.
- We do pinching monthly.
- So that the plant does not burn and does not die, we prune in the evening or in the morning, when the sun's rays are not very active.
- We do not throw out the plucked stems, but use them as cuttings (unless they have a stable stem and 5-6 leaves). For rooting, cutting off the lower leaves, place them in a jar of water. As soon as the roots grow, we plant the stems in fertile soil. So we will have additional seedlings with you.
It is important to remember that if you cut hybrid varieties of petunias, then the grown specimen will retain the appearance and characteristics of the original. When propagated by seeds, this cannot be achieved.
Petunias are blooming beauties with an obstinate but sympathetic character. If you constantly take care of them, properly care for them, then they will delight you with gratitude all summer.
Pinching petunias for the splendor of the bush-video
I welcome you to the site advice to gardeners. Petunia is especially loved by gardeners for its ability for a long time save decorative look. After all, the plant begins to bloom from mid-spring and continues to delight the eye until the first frost.
Flowers are not whimsical in care, but need shaping. And today about how to properly pinch a petunia.
What is pinching
The basis for obtaining a healthy bush - proper cultivation and compulsory formation. That is why pinching a petunia can be called one of the most important agrotechnical procedures.
What is pinching? This is the removal of the growth point young plant at a certain stage of development. The procedure enhances the branching of the stems, and, accordingly, in the future the flower will have much more buds.
Pinching petunia: what is it for?
Do I need to pinch a petunia? This is a necessary procedure if you want to get a decorative flowering bush.
If you allow the flower to grow on its own without interfering with this process, then in the end you will get an elongated plant. Besides, it's too long stem simply bends under its own weight, and the flower falls to the ground.
After the removal of the main growth point, several new stems appear at once in the place of the cut. In addition, it stimulates the growth of side shoots. The first results of the pinching performed appear after a couple of weeks in the form of beautiful buds.
Of course, not everyone petunia variety needs to be formed. On simple varieties, pinching is absolutely necessary. But if your petunias are grown from breeding seeds, then you can skip this growing step.
The fact is that breeders initially set themselves the goal of creating varieties that can acquire the necessary splendor without human intervention.
And, nevertheless, it is possible to carry out pinching on breeding varieties. Since plants are initially programmed for accelerated growth, after the formation they give new shoots much faster.
How to pinch?
How to pinch a petunia? Before proceeding with the procedure, you must familiarize yourself with the following rules:
1. You need to carefully monitor the growth of the plant. Formation can be started after the young flower is already slightly stronger and has begun to actively grow in height.
2. The ideal period for the procedure is the time when the seedling has already formed 5 ... 6 leaves. This best period when to pinch a petunia. If you miss the moment, the plant may stretch.
3. When the flower is ready, you just need to remove the stem above the last leaf. This can be done in two ways: by cutting it off with a pruner or simply by pinching it with your fingers.
As a result, the petunia receives a new growth point, which will throw out several new shoots at the same time. Since pinching is perceived by the plant as a serious interference, it can slow down a little in development.
But the petunia recovers very quickly and produces additional lateral sprouts. The result of the procedure is a beautiful rounded bush.
Enough frequently asked question: "Is it possible to pinch a flowering petunia?". Yes, but after the procedure, flowering will slow down a little. Also don't forget to read Why isn't the petunia blooming?
You can pinch the petunia again in about a month, when it is already growing well. This time, you can also remove the length of the side shoots to add compactness to the plant.
If seedlings will be planted in open ground, then the first formation should be carried out after planting the plant. The seedling needs to be given a few days so that it can get used to the new conditions. And only after that carry out pinching.
Beginning gardeners need to remember the following rules:
- It is impossible to delay with a pinch, since being late with the formation of a bush negatively affects its development;
- you can pinch a petunia every month;
- after pinching, the plant freezes for a short time (there is a slowdown in flowering).
In order for the plant to bloom as long as possible, one should not be limited only to pinching. Do not forget about the following subtleties of care:
1. It is necessary to remove all wilted and completely faded buds from the plant. Because if you leave them, then petunia will have to spend all her strength on the maturation of the seed box.
2. The plant must be fed.
3. If daytime temperatures are too high, then flower bushes should be sprayed with a spray bottle. But the procedure can be carried out only early in the morning and in the evening, when Sun rays not so active anymore. Otherwise, the plant will get burned and may die.
And remember that every pinching is stress for the petunia, which she must endure. That is why, after each procedure, the bushes freeze slightly, but respond with increased growth of lateral shoots and the formation of larger buds.