I pinch my many plectranthus, devil's ivy, coleus, wandering jew, geranium and megilla perilla plants. Have hundreds of "pinches" started for my planters and the garage sales this May and June.

I believe that tomatoes are not to be pinched. If too leggy when they are going to be planted then you plant them at an angle.

Brenda

I pretty much pinch back anything that gets too leggy. I've pinched back tomatoes but that was after they were full grown plants, maybe that makes a difference? This is the first year starting them from seed, so I'll have read up on that!

The plants that get pinched back most often for me are Coleus, ivy, and polka dot plant aka rose splash (I forget the latin name of it).

Sierra, you're psychic! ;) I was just thinking of asking if bachelor buttons need to be pinched back. I've done impatiens and petunias and lots of others, but usually ones that show signs of branching. The BB seedlings don't. I had some last year that i didn't pinch, but they'd fill in a spot nicely if they branched out. So, to pinch or not to pinch, that is the question!

As I understand it, determinate tomatoes should not be pinched because eventually every stem will end in flowers and stop growing on its own.

But indeterminate tomatoes should be pruned somewhat because each vine will grow and grow and will make flowers all along it, but the fruit will be better if you remind it to stop growing longer.

I'm not much of a pincher. I'm sure there's things I pinch but I can't think what right now.

Amazing how someone always seems to start a thread up when we all need it.

Anyone know about nierembergia? I've been searching and searching and can't find an answer on that one.

I have been pinching back all of my vines and they are so nice and full at the bottom. I'm thrilled with the way they look this year, compared to last.

Shauna

I had some nierembergia last year, Shauna and didn't pinch it back, but maybe it could have been. It was quite nice - 'Purple Robe'. I'm going to look for it again this year. I saw seeds somewhere but didn't buy them.

Vines - i have to get started on them!

Grrrr -- I see that my post from earlier just vanished. Hate when that happens.

Anyways, thanks for the explanation on the tomatoes, Gil. I think the type of tomato I have this year is determinate (Sub-Arctic Plenty) but the type I had last year just kept on growing and growing so I had no choice but to pinch it back! (I think last year I had 'Better Boy' or something like that -- something 'Boy' anyway)

~Ang~

Ahhhhhh I see that you guys are all a bunch of pinchers too. ;-) Well with the exception of Gil...do you think we can convince her to become a pincher too. haha

...my blooming bags that are full of impatiens were 4 or 5 inches tall....now they are flat against the bag again. :O The good thing is that some of the the other trays that were getting to tall now fit under the lights again.

Have to check out the vines....today and pinch pinch pinch LOL.

Sierra

Ive been pinching back the snapgragons the last couple days and have pinched back the godetia several times before planting them in pots. The brachycomes and bidens have already been pinched back, and I pinched back the February wave petunias cuttings several times, they are now getting planted in hanging baskets and can grow however they like..lol..savona

Savona, what kind of snapdragons do you have? Is it ok to pinch the tall ones? I might give em a little pinch if it's the done thing ;0)

Gillian I have the taller "panarama" snaps...if I don't pinch them back they get too tall and fall or lean on other flowers in the beds..By pinching them they will get bushier and not quite so tall..so pinch away..lol..savona

Does pinching millions bells make them bushier with more flowers?

I was thinking about this and wondering what others experiences have been with these. I usually pinch them back as soon as I get them, but have never had what I feel is a really nice display of these plants. So does pinching help or hinder them? Is there any other secrets to growing them? Mine usually flower a bit and just look scraggly.

Sierra

I have never pinched my 1000000 bells and they seem to be pretty bushy on their own. I have noticed that they like hot weather and fertilizer. Some years they are awesome for me and some years they are just ok.

I pinched my snaps ;0) You converted me.

Other then dead heading I haven't pinched back any million bells I have had..I think some varieties are better then others,I really like the terra cotta ones..last year I had some pink ones called "almond blossom" wether it was them or the cooler summer they never got as full and bushy as others I have had..I had intentions of taking cuttings from them but decided they weren't worth it :-(..savona

Pinch your million bells and root the pinchings. Then you'll have millions of million bells! :D

And how many bells is that, smarty pants librarian who knows how to spell acquisition right?

Uhhhhh, several million? :) Lissen, honey, math was never my strong point! LOL

Thanks for the info....I think the variety I was looking at was called 'sun'. I have pinched and started the pinches LOL in the past....but I was hoping for better results this year....or thinking that maybe I should just pass on them...have to decide pretty quick here.

Sierra

Hi! Need advice, do I pinch Zinna's Marigolds and German Ivy?? They are all about seven inches tall. How far back should I pinch them?? Thanks Crazy!

When in doubt, I turn to my books. Yup, Lois Hole says to pinch zinnias - "pinch the first flower shoot that forms." African marigolds benefit from the first flowerbud pinching, too. Oh good, I have been doing it right all these years. I do the same with all of my petunias, too. But the French marigolds generally don't need it. German Ivy can be pinched and you will get bushier bases, which will send out fuller trailers of ivy.

Shauna

I've got bush beans started inside about 8" tall now. Do I pinch them to make them "Bushier"? Or will they do it on their own? Or will pinching them interfere with producing beans? This is my first shot at beans...