How to prune lobelia is a subject that has perplexed many gardeners over the years. The question that often arises is, “What’s the best way to do it?” lobelia has two types: stipulated and self-supporting. Stipulated lobelia will grow for only seven hours or less each year. Self-supporting lobelia grows for seven hours or more and is considered an evergreen shrub.
Stabilization of a plant is similar to deadheading a rose. The stems are trimmed off and the entire plant is allowed to grow out, bearing the weight of the fallen branches. Deadheading with lobelia branches is most desirable when the plant is young and has not yet produced flowers. The new shoots are often stunted by the lack of nutrition and, although they may bloom, they are usually of low quality.
Hanging baskets are one of the most common forms of deadheading with lobelia. To prune hanging baskets, start by removing any dead or dying growths and all loose or broken leaves. Then use a sharp knife to remove the middle third of the hanging basket. Next, remove all the flower buds and any white or red fruit on the outside of the basket. The center can then be left intact.
“How to prune black truffle” videos teach the proper way to handle this plant. In this category, we focus on tips for reducing deadheading. Although black truffles are not highly demanding in the pruning department, their thick branches can be quite a chore to manage when deadheading. In this category, we will discuss ways to shorten the thickest parts of black truffle blossom stalks.
First, trim any dead and dying branches by using your pruning shears. Then, you should take all of the bright green, flowering stalks and separate them into three separate pieces. Place them into a large pot and fill the pot with water and let the plant soak. Set the plant in a sunny window. The timing and duration of sunlight and water exposure will depend on the stage of growth of each piece.
The next step in learning how to prune lobelia plants is to remove the flowers that are already established on the plant. Cut the new flowers from their base stems using your scissors. The timing and duration of the exposure to sun and water will depend on the type of flower that you are removing.
How to prune lobelia plants in the late summer and early fall is based on the time of year that they were originally planted. If they were planted in the late spring, the best time for cutting is after the blooms have dropped off. Remove the stems and leaves, and move them to a lower location away from the heat of the summer sun.
How to prune blue lobelia for new blooming in the fall can be tricky, but it is possible. The first step in late summer is to identify which flowers are producing the most growth during this time. These are typically the larger blooming blossoms. Cut these, and then use your pruning shears to quickly get rid of any remaining flowers.
After the large blooms have been removed, the cutting back to the main plant should follow. Make sure that you only cut back about one-third of the root system. This is the easiest area to re-pot in the fall when the ground has warmed up and there are fewer buds growing. Carefully dig out the remaining roots, and tie into bunches with moist plant fiber or moss so that the cutting back will be easier.
As soon as you cut the flower buds, however, it is important that you don’t cut too deeply into the plant. You want to allow the live seeds to flow through the soil and into the next year’s plants. This will ensure that the plants will continue to produce new blooms even when there are not any strong growth in the garden. After the seed pods are removed, the remaining flowers and stems can be reused for re-potting.
The third step for proper how to prune lobelia involves a little more thought. There is a difference between clipping the tops of plants and clipping the bottom. Many gardeners mistakenly think that the tops of plants grow toward the light while the bottom grows dark. They then try to remove the top portion of the plant without making sure that they cut the base properly. This will lead to the plant turning brown before its time. A u.s. department of agriculture plant guide can help you understand how to prune lobelia correctly.
You can easily distinguish how to prune lobelia by noting how the major flower buds look. If you see three or four short and straight projections on the terminal stem, you are looking at a perennial lobelia. If you see two long and soft projections on each end, you are looking at a shrub that is annual. For more information, contact your local USDA extension office.