A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 pruning words

I bought a book Encyclopedia of plant care, very informative. thanks

I pinch with my fingernails it's easier for me than using garden shears for little tip pruning which is what I'm assuming they are talking about.

That's where you take off the very end of a branch where the new leaves are forming in order to get the plant to branch more. Does that sound like what your book is talking about?

yes, thank you it was referring to a poinsettia, i have one from Christmas and would like to keep for next year. it said to pinch the new branches in April. Now I understand. So I just pinch the tips of the branches?

TK has properly defined pinching for you. However, I want to take issue with your plant encyclopedia. As with most plants, pruning (cutting off a portion of a stem or stems) is more appropriate than pinching.

Following a Poinsettia's flowering period, you will probably observe that some new green-leaf growth is emerging in one or more places on the lower portions of the stems. It is best to prune each stem back to a point just above the lowest new-growth point on the stem. This will leave the Poinsettia looking a little sparse initially, however Poinsettias are rapid growers and will soon fill out. The aim here is to have a shorter more compact plant with lots of healthy new growth that will grow through the spring and summer.

I have written an article on year-round Poinsettia care that I will send to anyone who sends a request to me at wcreed@HorticulturalHelp.com

Will Creed
Indoor landscaper
NYC