Deadheading for More Flowers

Deadheading spent blooms tricks the plant to induce more flowers.

from gardening.about.com:
Most flowers benefit from having their spent flowers removed. This is called deadheading. Flowers that repeat bloom will often do so only if the old, dying flowers are removed. If they remain on the plant, they will go to seed and stop producing flowers. Even many flowers that bloom only once per season benefit from deadheading, because the plant puts its energy into strengthening itself instead of producing seed.

Other reasons may be found from rhs.org.uk:
Deadheading is the term used for the removal of flowers from plants when the flowers are fading or dead. It is done for the dual purposes of maintaining appearance and improving performance.

  • Appearance
    Most flowers lose their attraction as they fade, spoiling the overall appearance of bedding schemes or individual plants - particularly where the display is in a container or extends over several weeks. The flowers of plants like peonies, some camellias and many roses have numerous petals which, if allowed to drop as they fade, may scatter widely.



  • Performance
    Flowers which have been pollinated soon fade, shed their petals and begin to form seedheads, pods or capsules. Energy is channeled into development of usually unwanted seeds, slowing further growth and flower development. Regular deadheading directs energy into stronger growth and improved performance.

  • Practicalities
    Deadheading is often a matter of priorities. A hanging basket display can be spruced up in minutes whereas it can take several hours to deadhead a large rhododendron. Deadheading trees and large shrubs which bear numerous small flowers is usually impractical.


For the Cypress Vine, the best time to do this is almost immediately just when the flower has wilted and is still attached. The Cypress Vine's flowers are only good for a day.

With a pair of pruning shears or any gardening multitool, cut the bloom BELOW the bloom's fruit part as shown in the photo below. The fruit part contains the seeds should be removed in the process of deadheading.


The biggest advantage to deadheading at the moment where the flower is still attached is visibility. The flower's color gives a stark contrast to the foliage and so are easy to spot. If the flower detaches and falls, it is so easy to miss the left fruit against the foliage. So cut them, while you can still see them!



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