Petunia - pinching

Petunia
var. 'Choice'

Petunias - pinching

Can you predict the effects of pinching out on the production of flowers by pot grown petunias, var. 'Doubloon Pink Star' and var. 'Choice'?

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Less means more

It should be possible to increase production of flowers on a plant by 'pinching out' (removing) the growing tips to encourage side shoots to develop and flower.

How the plants were grown

To test the effects of pinching out on petunias, two varieties (var 'Doubloon Pink Star' and var 'Choice') were planted as plugs in pots of Levington Plant Protection Compost mixed with 4-month controlled release fertiliser. Some plants were pinched out once, some twice and some not at all. Flowers from each plant were collected and counted at the end of June, July, August and September.

Counting the flowers

Flowers which were produced up to the end of June, July, August and September were collected and counted. How many flowers do you think a 12-plant Thompson & Morgan Flower Pouch produced by the end of June, July, August and September?