Do you deadhead the flower right under the bloom, or do you cut the stem off at the bottom?

Is it best to snip/pinch off only the bloom, or cut the stalk at the base of the plant?


Also, is there a difference for annuals v. perennials?


Finally, what do you do for bulbs? Like tulips?


Thank you!! I can't find just a straightforward answer.Do you deadhead the flower right under the bloom, or do you cut the stem off at the bottom?
pinch at the bloom, especially perennials because the leaves are still collecting energy from the sun. This hopefully will make the plant stronger and healthier next year. bulbs are perennials, so this goes for them too. Though it's fine to take the stem when you are using them as cut flowers.





Sometimes deadheading before the plant makes seeds will cause the plant to keep blooming, or rather reblooming. Not all plants will do this, especially not bulbs.





However, some plants like phlox, when they first flower, you can cut those off at the base (2 inches above soil level) and they'll grow back and flower all over again later in the season. This is nice if you want to have the foliage looking good. If you deadhead under the blooms only you'll have stalks with old foliage and a more messy growth.





When annuals are done flowering you can deadhead if you like the foliage, or if you're eager to put something else in their place you can just get rid of them. But check to see if you deadhead if new flowers will form.





Really, you need to read about the varieties of plants that you have. You'll get all kinds of awesome tips and information about them.Do you deadhead the flower right under the bloom, or do you cut the stem off at the bottom?
it depends on the plant


basically you are getting rid of the dead flower so the plant does not waste energy making seeds but rather makes more flowers for you to enjoy.





basically pinch it it in such a way that it still looks pretty in the garden.





eg pansies I do just under the flower but if I am picking them for inside I leave just a little stem


Something like cosmos looks awful if you just do it under the flower so I go to the end of the stem.





With tulips %26amp; daffodils and even iris's I take off right to the end of the stem the flower is on but leave the leaves for next years food.
I have always pinched off the blooms. Worked for me. Annuals live one summer and die Perennials come back every year. Bulbs....different people say differecnt things. I leave mine alone untile they get to thick. then i seperate them and give them room to grow. Dont cut down daffadils until they die down brown. If you cut them down while the stems are green they will not bloom the next year. Tulips, I have treated the above way.
I like to take down to a leaf.


With bulbs, after they have bloomed tie leaves in a loose knot and plant an annual in front of them.


Bulbs need their leaves to make blooms for next year
Right at the bloom.

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