Question
I have read that by pinching out you get a better plant ( annuals/half hardy annuals ) but I have not read if it is ok to do this to all young plants. Are there any rules to follow ? Thanks

Answer
John, pinching is simply pruning the new top growth which promotes bushier, fuller plants with side blooms as well as flowering from the main stem.  If left unpinched, the plant grows taller and sometimes spindly with far fewer blooms.

The general rule is to pinch any plant that will produce multiple blooms, such as flowers and fruiting vegetables.  Pinching is not as critical with plants such as broccoli and cauliflower which produce one single head.

Most experts agree that it is best to start pinching flowers and vegetables after the 4th set of leaves.  At this stage, the plant is mature and strong enough to tolerate the pinching and is also at the proper stage to set side buds.

Finally, it delays blooming which is very important in young seedlings.  Seedlings which are allowed to bloom at too early a stage expend all of their energy on flowering rather than building a strong root system.

I hope this answered your question. Please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mik