Topic: Dead Heading Petunias and Sweet Peas

[Moggle]

Is it worth doing with Petunias and Sweet Peas? Will I get more flowers if I do it?

Thanks all

[Doris_Pinks]

Yes is the answer Moggle!
Have to say my sweet peas are pretty poor...think the sparrows are nipping the buds off! >:(

[Kerry]

don't know about petunias, moggle but "yes definitely" to sweet peas.
When it has set seed, which is its ultimate aim, it signals the end of the plants life. Removng the ripening seeds 'tricks' it into trying to produce more, hence more flowers!
You can leave a few pods on to ripen at the end of the season if you save your own seed for next year, as I do. :)

[Plocket]

Yes to sweet peas and petunias - particularly trailing ones because it will make the strands longer as well!

[Muddy_Boots]

Dead heading is ace!  Petunias, begonias, buzzies, roses, everything - really does prolong flowering time and does plants good!  :D

[Moggle]

Thanks for the advice all, I will get out there with my scissors tonight or tomorrow.

Thanks for the tip Kerry about saving seed, hadn't even thought of doing that before  :)

[aquilegia]

I dead head all annuals (apart from things like poppies that i want to self seed).

Don't forget, though, if you're collecting seeds, hybrids won't come true from seed.

[Moggle]

Thanks Aqui, I'll check the pack they came from when I get home, can't really remember what they were.

[Muddy_Boots]

No scissors needed for petunias, buizzies or begonias, just pull the dead flowers off!

[aquilegia]

I did petunias last year and found they left a really sticky residue on my hands when I deadheaded without seceteurs.

[Moggle]

And the scissors give me a bit of extra reach for the ones that spill over the side of the balcony. I really should take a photo while they are all flowering.