It's the tip everyone who grows annuals needs to know, Plant Haircuts! We call it haircuts; others call it pinching. It's all the same thing in the end. Trimming back your plant for some short-term pain and long-term gain! Plant haircuts are crucial for getting bushy plants with long stems, and its super easy to do.
First, it's important to know which flowers you should give a haircut to, and which you should not. A general rule is to never pinch perennials or non-branching annuals. If you pinch your peonies or giant sunflowers unfortunately all you're going to get is green. What you can pinch are branching annuals. Think anything that grows multiple blooming stems from somewhere other than the base. This includes (but is not exclusive to) Zinnias, Dahlias, Celosia, Snap Dragons, Gomphrena, Lisianthus, Cosmos, and Branching Sunflowers! In fact, all of these (except for Cosmos and Sunflowers because we direct seed them) We pinch prior to transplanting in the garden. This allows the plant to already think about its roots and bushing out into a stronger plant before it goes into the shock that transplanting inevitably brings.
To give your plants a haircut you just need to keep a few things in mind. You HAVE TO leave at least one set of true leaves. If you don't let a set of true leaves remain, your plant will die. Our general rule is we like to keep two sets of leaves, but if there are at least one, your plant should be fine. The other thing to remember is that this will set back your first bloom. Sorry, it's just the way it is. Most often haircuts mean cutting off the first buds. I know you're really excited to see your plants bloom, but I promise they will be happier and healthier if you pinch them!
Now for the cut. Have sharp snips and cut deep into the plant. Often this means shortening it by half its height. Thats ok!! It's best to cut directly above a set of leaves. This means the plant doesn't have to put any energy into the stem that remains without leaves on top. And that's it! You should see new growth shoot out from the leaf set directly below where you cut. Essentially meaning that where you were once going to get one flower you know get two. Sometimes we do this a few times before we start leaving the flowers for picking, but we always do it at least once.
Hopefully, this helps you have your best annuals yet! If you have any questions, please reach out! Happy haircutting!
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