Annual Flower Maintenance Fertilizing Nitrogen is the nutrient that most frequently limits plant growth. Unfortunately, nitrogen is the most difficult nutrient to manage. Soil tests for nitrogen are not dependable and nitrogen is easily leached from the soil. The challenge is to maintain adequate nitrogen levels to meet the plant requirements without damaging the plants or the environment. Deadheading/Pruning Deadheading is the removal of dead or faded flowers and seed pods. When annuals expend energy to produce seeds after the flower fades, flower production often decreases. To maintain vigorous growth and assure neatness, remove spent flowers and seed pods. Although this step is not necessary for all flowers, it is a good practice with ageratum, calendula, celosia, coleus, cosmos, geraniums, marigolds, scabiosa, salvia, rudbeckia, and zinnias. Check plants weekly. Many modern cultivars are self-cleaning—their spent flowers disappear quickly. Some cultivars are sterile and do not produce seeds.
Posted on: Thu, 06 Jun 2013 16:30:00 +0000
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