A Gardeners Forum Forums General Discussion The Plants and Flowers Forum Pinching seedlings

Hi all,

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a good list of plants that benefit from pinching them in the seedling stage? I have some blue flax and I'm not sure if I should pinch it or not. I've always wished I had a good reference list to refer to. Happy spring!

Never heard of doing that at all.

I'm guessing 'pinching' means 'chopping the top of'.
I wouldn't think a seedling would like that much???

Yes some seedlings are OK with pinching, it actually helps them develope a better root system and they also become bushier too, but for the life of me I can't remember right now which ones.

There are many that do benefit from it to make them bushier. I just read online today that you should pinch out sweet pea- I had no idea. Things like snap dragon are a no-brainer, but I am wondering if flax would benefit from it. I know there is a list of plants that do better if you pinch them on Dave's Garden, but you have to be a paid subscriber to view it- darn it!

If you have a bunch of seedlings pinch some if it livs start making your own list this is how I do it over the last 3weeks I have planted 1400 seeds in my small green house Im running out of room