Coleus, with new growth beginning to emerge several days after pinching.
~
Pinch out the growing tips of each stem to make a plant grow more branches. Some gardeners do this after a stem produces three sets of leaves. Each new branch helps a plant grow ‘bushier’ and can produce more leaves and flowers. Use this method to grow larger, more productive plants.
Use this tip on flowering annuals and perennials, herbs, shrubs and even some vegetables with a structure of leafy stems.
Why it works: This is an ‘hormonal thing.’ When you pinch out the growing tip of a leaf covered stem, an hormonal message is relayed to every leaf node below that point to produce a new stem. This is how a single stem can become the framework for multiple stems growing from its sides. Pinch each lateral stem after at least three sets of leaves form, and more lateral stems will grow from each of its leaf nodes. Although flowering may be slightly delayed, you will be rewarded with many times more leaves and flowers from a larger plant.
Woodland Gnome’s caveat: I try to pinch the terminal leaf from a growing stem when it is tiny and not yet fully formed. Often, this can be done without sacrificing the tiny flowers emerging beside the new leaf. Use small scissors to prune away emerging leaves without damage to the plant.
“Green Thumb” Tips: Many of you who visit Forest Garden are amazing gardeners with years of experience to share. Others are just getting started, and are looking for a few ‘tips and tricks’ to help you grow the garden of your dreams.
I believe the only difference between a “Green Thumb” and a “Brown Thumb” is a little bit of know-how and a lot of passion for our plants. If you feel inclined to share a little bit of what YOU KNOW from your years of gardening experience, please create a new post titled: “Green Thumb” Tip: (topic) and include a link back to this page. I will update this page with a clear link back to your post in a listing by topic, so others can find your post, and will include the link in all future “Green Thumb” Tip posts.
Let’s work together to build an online resource of helpful tips for all of those who are passionate about plants, and who would like to learn more about how to grow them well.
~
Lantana, with new stems growing from the leaf nodes.
~
Woodland Gnome 2016
‘Green Thumb’ Tip: Release Those Pot Bound Roots! by J. Peggy Taylor
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #2: Feed!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #3: Deadhead!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #4 Get the Light Right!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #5: Keep Planting!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #6: Size Matters!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip # 7: Experiment!
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #8 Observe
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #9 Plan Ahead
‘Green Thumb’ Tip #10: Understand the Rhythm
Forest Garden 