A Pinch to Grown an Inch: Garden Advice

Carolyn Jones

Because it changes the flow of the plant’s hormone-like chemicals. In a young geranium, for example, new cells divide rapidly at the tip of the main shoot (apical meristem), which also produces chemicals called auxins that flow downwards.

Tucked in safely where each leaf is attached to the stem are lateral buds kept dormant by the auxins. If the apical meristem is pinched, removing the auxins, the lateral buds will spring into growth.

From each leaf node emerges a new shoot. Soon a spindly geranium will be bushy and produce many more blooms!

With more than 30 years experience in horticulture in B.C. – in wholesale, retail and at VanDusen Botanical Garden for a decade – Carolyn Jones brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to GardenWise and www.gardenwiseonline.ca as staff horticulturist.

(2) comment(s) | tags

Comments

Hi Karen, Thank you for your

By ybc, November 2, 2007 at 09:24

Hi Karen,

Thank you for your comment.

I apologize that you weren't informed and thank you for the use of your image.

As a general rule, we only use Flickr photos which are offered under a Creative Commons license and attribute the work back to the creator. We also try to inform each creator that we are using their images and where.

Sincerely,

Yau Bing Chong
Web Editorial Coordinator
BCBusiness Online

Hi, I am the owner of this

By Anonymous, November 2, 2007 at 07:34

Hi, I am the owner of this geranium photograph. I was not asked permission to use this photo, but I am complimented that you did. If the future just send me a note and a thank you for giving you permission to use my photographs. I have lots of photographs of flowers on my flickr bluebirdsandteapots. You are welcome to use them, just ask my permission and say thank you.

Thanks,

Karen Cox

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