Pinching out annual seedlings

[Jemo]

Hi Folks

This is my first thread.Can you pinch out the growing tip of ALL annuals to encourage bushiness

Thanks Jemo

[Bill who putters]

I don't do this but Ingrid does.

[Billy]

Why would you want to do that to a cabbage?

[David Hare-Scott]

You probably can do it but it wouldn't always be any advantage. What is it that you are itching to pinch and why?

David

[Bill who putters]

Your use of the word pinch out and annual sort of threw me. I was just out back doing some pinching off of a deciduous azaleas. Thing is I called the action deadheading a very good thing to do.

[Una]

Pinching and deadheading are not the same thing. Pinching is done to tender new growth, long before flowering, usually to increase branching and thus increase the number of leaves and/or flowers.

Basil may be pinched to decrease flowering and increase leafing.

Crysanthemum etc. may be pinched to increase flowering. To get the mass-of-flowers display seen in garden shows, intensive pinching is required.

In fruit and ornamental trees under intensive management, suckers and water shoots can be controlled by prompt pinching.

Una

[Bill who putters]

Sort of reminds me of painting wounds then not painting wounds controversy . There is also the issue of the $1 tree and the $10 hole versus the $10 tree and the $1 hole.

Nature confusion with much room for learning from mistakes.

[Billy]

Just my opinion maybe, but to me the flowering stem is the best part of the basil plant for making pesto.