Geranium experts, can you help me, please? I know that plucking off spent blooms is the thing to do, but....?

....with plants like geranium whose blooms have one stalk with many little flowers (sorry, not sure of correct word to use!), how is this best done? Sometimes about half of the bloom head is dead but the rest is still vibrant and lovely and it seems a shame to pick off the stalk when that's the case. I would be grateful for any knowledgeable advice here! Does it help to pick off the individual little flowers as they die but leave the rest?

Geranium experts, can you help me, please? I know that plucking off spent blooms is the thing to do, but....?
The stem of a flowering bud serves two purposes: To support the weight of the bloom and transfer food, water and waste. Once the bloom is cut off and will not set seed there is no need for the stem. That's why it is cut off close to the main stem. By leaving a portion of living stem the plant will continue to support it which takes energy away from bloom production. Cutting the stem close to the main stalk (or on other annuals down to the first leaf) will encourage the plant to develop lateral growth which keeps a plant bushy, thus encouraging more blooms.
Reply:I leave mine until more than half of the little flowers are spent, and then pinch the stem back to the first leaf (or with geraniums, back to the main stem or stalk). The main thing is to make sure you do not let the flower/plant to go to seed, as this expels much energy which would otherwise go to more flowering. Pinching helps keep the plant full, as well. Don't be afraid to drastically pinch back a section which seems to be stemming off out of control. A plant thinks it's purpose is to go to seed (survival of the species) and once it has done so it feels it can rest (stop flowering). This rule applies to annuals. As for perennials, pinch back in the same manner but at some point you need to stop (with some types) because the plant with bloom itself into exhaustion and the health of the plant is jeopardized. Again, unless you wish to collect seeds, or unless the plant is supposed to re-seed itself) then it is also best to not allow the perennial plant to go to seed because of the amount of energy it takes to do so.
Reply:Im certainaly not a expert on geraniums, but I have them in my yard and in planters now for several seasons. I do just pull off the dead flower area,s, leaving the remaining half. Sometimes tho more fall off than I planned, but I to hate to deadhead the entire flower when only half is finished blooming. Geraniums are very "hardy" plants, so there,s not much one can do to kill them. They are like a "ever ready battery" they just keep on going!
Reply:When pruning anything, typically the best way to go is to just take off only the visibly dead stuff. It may look a little odd to take off a few dead blooms while the other half of the blooms are still alive and beautiful, but it should balance out as new blooms fill where the old ones were. Good luck!
Reply:Pinch back the whole stalk. This will encourage more to grow. Heartbreaking, I know but it encourages the plant to send out more blossoms and the energy goes into them rather than into dying ones.





Good Growing!!!!!!!!





The Muse
Reply:take a pair off scions to clip only the small flower which is dead. that will let the rest off your flower to finish looking pretty
Reply:it doesn't hurry another flower along to replace it, but it does make the plant look better... I just break them , pinch them with a fingernail ....
Reply:No, just wait until the whole stalk is done blooming, then cut it off.