Deadheading Geraniums - what is correct technique?

[fletcher969]

Hi all,

My girlfriend and I had an amicable discussion yesterday concerning the proper method for deadheading geraniums (common type one purchases at any grocery or hardware store). She contends that the most appropriate method is to pull the entire flower stem (peduncle), including its "attachment point." In essence, pull off the entire stem from the main plant so there is no evidence of the old flower stem. I, on the other hand, was snipping off all of the flower's stem except for 1/4 inch, with only a small "stub" remaining on the main plant. Also, she said pulling off all of the previous stem was the only method that would allow a new flower to grow. I contended that my method did not prevent that either.

Ok, I'm not saying her method is wrong. She only stated that my method was." I did tell her I'd be somewhat concerned that her method would leave the main plant more suseptible to disease/infection due to the fact that a "wound" is left on the main plant stem, or by possibly pulling off more than the flower stem, but again, I didn't insist she was wrong, and told her there is often more than one way to skin a cat (sorry animal lovers...I wouldn't actually skin a cat!)

So my question is this. Is either method described above incorrect? If both are correct methods, is either on more appropriate than the other? In essence, should one remove ALL of the stem by pulling it off the main plant, or leave 1/4 inch or more? Finally, will leaving 1/4 inch of the old flower stem prevent new flower growth as my girlfriend contends?

Thanks.

[opabinia51]

Well, I've just done a quick google search on deadheading geraniums and from what I have read so far, the consensus is that geraniums do not need to be deadheaded.

I'm not a geranium expert but, I do know for most flowering shrubs the way to deadhead it to remove the dead flower itself and not the stem from which the flower came. Usually, there is no need for clippers or pruners to do this, just use your hands.


Scott?????

[Guest]

This is the method I use: Use hand pruners to remove the bloom and stem just above where it attaches to the main stem. As the stub withers it will fall off or you can then hand remove it. Pulling the stem by hand where the bloom stem and main stem join can cause damage which can lead to insect or disease possibility. So, why take a chance?

The reasons to consider this method are two: Its prevents unsightly dying stems poking up thru the green and avoids injury to the main stem. Deadheading of any flower- perennial, shrub or annual- should remove the bloom and stem intact down to the first leave or set of leaves. Plants will waste energy trying to keep a long portion of remaining stem alive.

As to flower production: the main reasons for a reduction in flower production is: A heat wave in which the plant shuts down to concentrate on roots for survival, gardeners not supplying adequate nutrients and neglecting to remove faded flowers. Future flowering stems arise from the main stem regardless of how spent blooms and stems are removed.

Remove those faded bloom/stems on a timely basis. This zonal geranium is a tender perennial and treated as an annual in cold climates. Keep the blooms removed so plant enery is not diverted to seed production.

[opabinia51]

I have read recently in an organic gardening book that the correct way to deadhead a geranium is to just remove the deadhead and not the stem. Deadheading should be done once the flower has finished it's show. This will prevent the plant from setting seed and thus it will put more energy into the next year's growth.

[Guest]

Opabinia 51~~I am intrigued as to why an author would recommend removing a bloom but not its stem on a zonal geranium. Or any annual for that matter. The following are reasons why:

1. The stem of a flowering bud serves two purposes: To support the weight of the bloom and transfer food, water and waste. Once the bloom is cut off and will not set seed there is no need for the stem. That's why it is cut off close to the main stem. By leaving a portion of living stem the plant will continue to support it which takes energy away from bloom production.

2. Cutting the stem close to the main stalk (or on other annuals down to the first leaf) will encourage the plant to develop lateral growth which keeps a plant bushy, thus encouraging more blooms.

3. The flower and stem should be removed as soon as the bloom starts to fade. We don't know the exact point at which each plant system goes into seed formation mode. Is it when the bloom starts to fade, is half faded, fully faded or dry and brown? The cycle of an annual is to produce leaves, flower, set seed and than die back. Once annuals start seed formation most energy is directed to that function and away from flower production.

4. True, dead heading prevents seed formation but it also serves to produce more blooms. Annuals live only one growing season so no energy is needed for next years growth. Most geraniums are either raised from seed or cuttings taken from current plants.

I would be interested in reading the book you quote from if you could provide the name and author. As with current research showing that deadheading perennials does not necessarily direct more energy to next years growth the same could be true for the information I reference above.

[opabinia51]

The author is Caroline Heriot who is the owner of The Garden Path a local organic nusery. The email address is around the forums somewhere.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I'm not taking sides....

Oh alright, I'm going with her on this one (and not because she's always right either; annoying habit... )

It's just that much less decaying material, and as long as you leave SOME tissue to scar before the main stem, not more of an issue for fungal introduction...

HG

[opabinia51]

Well, in gardening no one is right and no one is wrong. Whatever works, works.

Actually, what the book actually said was to remove the deadhead at the break off portion of the stem.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I have said it before and it bears repeating; this is an art, not a science, and there are USUALLY ten different ways to get where you're going. But I am an opinionated Yankee type...

Scott

[opabinia51]

Ha ha! That's funny. I guess the answer to the poster's original question is that, there is no answer!! Ask ten different gardeners, get ten different answers.

C'est la vie.

[Guest]

First, I was intrigued by the statement that only the faded bloom but not its stem should be removed.

Now, color me mystified - What does the author mean by: remove the deadhead at 'the break off portion of the stem'? Never heard that term. Clue the rest of us in.

[Grey]

Well, here's what I do - and I am not a great geranium grower.
When the stem is ready to simply come off at the slightest touch, I just help it along. The bloom may be well done but not all the color has left the blooms entirely when this happens - so I don't know if I'm making the plant hold on too long or not to its dying stem, but since it seems most natural, that's how I do it.

[The Helpful Gardener]

Moving at the speed of the plant will seldom hurt you, Grey. Probably not bad advice...

[nobleday]

I just wanted to come back here, because of the previous posts not knowing if deadheading works or is important. I came here a couple of weeks ago to read how to deadhead.

I have a Martha Washington Geranium that had stopped blooming at all. I had been plucking the petals (the color part only). Then I read about breaking off close to the stem.

I did it and now have a plant full of blooms and blossoms ready to bloom. Thank you