tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post6399084486968750202..comments2023-06-20T05:30:18.526-07:00Comments on gardening in western washington: "Pinch the ends and it will get bushier"???ignorant gardenerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09666406543531437194noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-46847308801852970312012-01-25T19:04:57.321-08:002012-01-25T19:04:57.321-08:00Instead of responding too all individually, I thou...Instead of responding too all individually, I thought I'd save time (you can say it, I'm lazy) by replying to all at once. Thank you for all of the help. I even got to use my dictionary a learned new words. In a month or so, when I see results I'll make a new post telling the world of how to properly pinch and you will know where all of this wonderful knowledge came from. (I'll say something about removing apical dominance!)ignorant gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09666406543531437194noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-36464663932573744782012-01-25T10:54:00.371-08:002012-01-25T10:54:00.371-08:00Oh! And it's called pinching back or off becau...Oh! And it's called pinching back or off because people of sterner stuff and with much stronger, longer nails than me can easily pinch, with thumb and forefinger, the tenderest of new buds.<br /><br />Pruning, of course, is the less indiscriminate and more selective removal of limbs, canes, or stems back to the trunk, base, or nearest desirable bud or branch.Saurshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090665102782891402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-26496725906252217562012-01-25T09:57:05.108-08:002012-01-25T09:57:05.108-08:00Very funny stuff.
Pinching back a plant encourage...Very funny stuff.<br /><br />Pinching back a plant encourages lateral growth, removing apical dominance. The buds at the very end of stems and especially at the top of a central leader in an excurrent woody plant (think v-shaped conifers) are located on terminal nodes. From these nodes auxins are sent back through the stem to lateral (non-terminal buds), suppressing their growth and development, leading to long, lean, spindly growth, versus bushy development. This is called apical dominance, wherein the apical bud asserts control over the lateral buds. When you "pinch off" or clip back these buds to the second bud, you remove the node that produces these auxins, thereby encouraging growth throughout the stem.<br /><br />Pinching back is appropriate for shrubs and herbaceous perennials that naturally produce rounded, decurrent growth, or when the gardener simply prefers this growth habit. It's not generally recommended for young trees, and it's especially unhealthy for most mature trees. When you "top" or "hatrack" a tree, you are, in fact, pinching it back, which will damage and stunt the strong central leader and produce, as a response to the removal of its apical dominance, weak watersprouts and suckers.<br /><br />For a pothos, it's appropriate to pinch back the tips of its stems. This will produce the full look you're after. Go for it!Saurshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00090665102782891402noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-91219700892749568192012-01-25T08:03:30.696-08:002012-01-25T08:03:30.696-08:00I'd say, go by what works on your wife, becaus...I'd say, go by what works on your wife, because she is pretty. Does she squeal, or just know you care? Or both?Cathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00386439534540061869noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-67192915839978832942012-01-25T06:51:41.021-08:002012-01-25T06:51:41.021-08:00I'd say, pinch until it squeals ;-)I'd say, pinch until it squeals ;-)Gone Tropicalhttp://www.myrtleglen.com/bloggingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2131322125017207247.post-7095077174623057902012-01-24T21:40:36.639-08:002012-01-24T21:40:36.639-08:00That is a great question. I've always thought ...That is a great question. I've always thought that pinching means to pinch it off entirely, but what the difference is between that and pruning..not sure? Pruning implies cutting a lot of pieces whereas pinching is more selective? I've only used pinching with tender plants, like herbs for example. Pinching kept my basil from flowering and created a very lush plant. I've only probably muddied the waters..sorry! JenniRainy Day Gardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06139202327960366363noreply@blogger.com