Hi all,

My husband and I had an amicable discussion yesterday concerning the proper method for deadheading geraniums (common type one purchases at any grocery or hardware store). He contends that the most appropriate method is to pull the entire flower stem (peduncle), including its "attachment point." In essence, pull off the entire stem from the main plant so there is no evidence of the old flower stem. I, on the other hand, was snipping off all of the flower's stem except for 1/4 inch, with only a small "stub" remaining on the main plant. Also, he said pulling off all of the previous stem was the only method that would allow a new flower to grow. I contended that my method did not prevent that either.

Ok, I'm not saying his method is wrong. He only stated that my method was." I did tell him I'd be somewhat concerned that his method would leave the main plant more suseptible to disease/infection due to the fact that a "wound" is left on the main plant stem, or by possibly pulling off more than the flower stem, but again, I didn't insist he was wrong, and told him there is often more than one way to skin a cat (sorry animal lovers...I wouldn't actually skin a cat!)

So my question is this. Is either method described above incorrect? If both are correct methods, is either on more appropriate than the other? In essence, should one remove ALL of the stem by pulling it off the main plant, or leave 1/4 inch or more? Finally, will leaving 1/4 inch of the old flower stem prevent new flower growth as my husband contends?

Thanks.