trace down the stem .. and where a leaf attaches ... look for a little bud ...

if there is a bud.. pinch above ...

go as far back as you want ...

even if a bud is NOT there.. one will form .. but what the heck.. if you see it.. less stress on you ...

if you have more than one ... do each differently .. and make note.. how each plant reacts .... experimenting is how you turn a plain thumb.. into a green thumb .... YOU CAN DO IT!!!

its never too late .. short of late fall ...

good luck

ken

Thanks Ken! I hope I can train this thumb of mine! MY hubby teases that it is a brown thumb but hopefully I am learning through my mistakes.

I came in here this morning to ask nearly the exact question. My Petunias are tall, but not bushy. Now, I need to dodge the rain and get it done. Thanks for that answer, Ken.

dodge the rain ... ?????

some of my best work has been done in the rain .... a very unique environment... the sound.. the smells.. the peacefulness ....

what you need is a good slicker... not avoidance of the rain ...

presuming of course.. its not a force 5 gale .. lol ...

ken

The problem is that we've had this "new" weather phenomenon Derecho on three different days this week. Tomorrow seems like it could be quite a bit more peaceful than the rest of the week.

If we don't have the wind and lightning--I may just get out there in a T and some shorts and enjoy it. Thanks again.

Don't forget to cut them back mid-summer, too. They'll poop out on you - usually happens mid to late July for me. You'll know what I mean when it happens.

Either shear the plant down to a few inches or individually cut each stem. This encourages new growth and hence flowering. Takes a couple weeks for the plant to refresh, but they will up and blooming well again.

I have my Petunias in 8.5 Inch pots. I have Blue Daddy and I think Pink Frost. Can I pinch these back in the pots? or will the roots grow too much that the pot will be too small? Right now they look great, the pot is full and they are actually tall, seem to be growing up instead of hanging. Also they are just starting to flower.

i think i will start a new post about why pinching is requisite ...

ken