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M'Lady

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Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

I am the complete opposite of green fingered... I usually kill all plants I come into contact with...

However, at the moment I have a plant in my kitchen, which has managed to survive since a small child gave it to me in August. (Presumably because I have ignored it.) However, although it had lovely 'bunches' of little red flowers through the summer, these have now died off and left drooping brown heads.

A work colleague told me I needed to 'dead head' it. I smiled, nodded and thanked her. But I haven't a clue how one goes about dead heading, or indeed what, if any, specialist equipment is required.

Could somebody with some horticultural knowledge please advise?!

(I have no idea what the plant is, as it doesn't have one of those useful name label things stuck in the pot.)

  • Replies 26
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Posted

When I do ours I just snip the stem back to about a 1/4 of an inch above the last leaf on the stem.

Like you i'm not exactly great with plants but i've not killed ours.........................yet :D

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Thanks Hemmypoos... do I need to buy some of those evil trimmers Wibs has found us after all??

Flaggypoos... no it isn't... but it looks like that from a distance! There are several flowers in clusters and they are a sort of cross between that flower and a rose!

Posted
  • Location: Lindum Colonia
  • Location: Lindum Colonia
Posted

Adi is writing an essay so he probably knows but you could always put a piccy up :D

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

I've just taken a photo... now I need to remember how to post it. Erm?

(Oooh, at least I now know it's not me Adi's ignoring. Phew!)

Posted
Thanks Hemmypoos... do I need to buy some of those evil trimmers Wibs has found us after all??

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yes, but only for our personal pleasure.

I just use scissors our house plants, the stems are quite thin and soft.

Posted
  • Location: Chichester, West Sussex
  • Location: Chichester, West Sussex
Posted

Dead heading is when you pull, cut or pinch out the dead flowers from the stem as Hemlock has said normally just above the the last leaf before the flower.

Specialist equipment

bulldozer.jpg

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Thank you all very much!

Here is the plant... please identify it! (And no, it's not called Jeff.)

Posted
  • Location: Upper Tweeddale, Scottish Borders 240m ASL
  • Location: Upper Tweeddale, Scottish Borders 240m ASL
Posted

Oooooooh - I had one of those fromt he supermarket.

They are nearly impossible to kill. Mine lived on the window sill infront of the kitchen sink for about 9 months. It shrivvelled, regrew after watering, flowered again, shrivelled again... Don't know what it's called Lady P - but I reckon even you with your green credentials can make it work!

I think one of my old housemate's cats* ate it in the end. :D

*Evil Oscar.

Posted
  • Location: Lindum Colonia
  • Location: Lindum Colonia
Posted

It is a Kalanchoe. (I think they are also called 'Flaming Katy')

They all look slightly different

Just snip the dead heads off back to nearly the base of the flower stalks

Posted
  • Location: Mytholmroyd, West Yorks.......
  • Weather Preferences: Hot & Sunny, Cold & Snowy
  • Location: Mytholmroyd, West Yorks.......
Posted
It is a Kalanchoe. (I think they are also called 'Flaming Katy')

They all look slightly different

Just snip the dead heads off back to nearly the base of the flower stalks

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I don't know F.P., kinda looks like one but the leaves don't look to be off a succulent. Lady P., do the leaves appear waxy and quite fleshy? If you stuck your thumbnail in a leaf did it break of in the shape of the nail stab?

If it is a Kalanchoe then they are almost as easy as 'plastic flowers' :D

Posted
  • Location: SE London
  • Location: SE London
Posted
I don't know F.P., kinda looks like one but the leaves don't look to be off a succulent. Lady P., do the leaves appear waxy and quite fleshy? If you stuck your thumbnail in a leaf did it break of in the shape of the nail stab?

If it is a Kalanchoe then they are almost as easy as 'plastic flowers' :D

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

well that'll give her confidence as a "budding" gardener :D:D

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted
I don't know F.P., kinda looks like one but the leaves don't look to be off a succulent. Lady P., do the leaves appear waxy and quite fleshy? If you stuck your thumbnail in a leaf did it break of in the shape of the nail stab?

If it is a Kalanchoe then they are almost as easy as 'plastic flowers' :D

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The leaves are waxy and fleshy... However, even in the name of science, I'm not sticking my nail into one to find out what happens. Yuk!

Posted
  • Location: Mytholmroyd, West Yorks.......
  • Weather Preferences: Hot & Sunny, Cold & Snowy
  • Location: Mytholmroyd, West Yorks.......
Posted
The leaves are waxy and fleshy... However, even in the name of science, I'm not sticking my nail into one to find out what happens. Yuk!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I take it all back, it is a Kalanchoe and no need to sully your cut(e)icle. :)

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Thank you all, you very kind and helpful people.

I shall attack (I mean prune) my Kalanchoe (ooh, how posh) tomorrow.

Posted
  • Location: Kingdom of Fife: 56.2º N, 3.2º W
  • Location: Kingdom of Fife: 56.2º N, 3.2º W
Posted
Thank you all, you very kind and helpful people.

I shall attack (I mean prune) my Kalanchoe (ooh, how posh) tomorrow.

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La! Mme. Guillotine awaits. Off with their heads!

Dead heading prevents plants from putting their energy into producing seeds so they tend to bloom again later.

(Durst we talk about the mysteries of feeding and re-potting I wonder?) :)

Posted
  • Location: Portland, Dorset
  • Weather Preferences: Mixed winters and springs, thundery summers and meditteranean autumns
  • Location: Portland, Dorset
Posted

After deadheading, a period of 'rest' may help, by reducing watering for a few weeks. When new growth appears, increase watering and feed occasionally. This plant may bloom again in late winter or spring. :)

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted
La! Mme. Guillotine awaits. Off with their heads!

Dead heading prevents plants from putting their energy into producing seeds so they tend to bloom again later.

(Durst we talk about the mysteries of feeding and re-potting I wonder?) :)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Mais oui, mon chere... Let them eat cake.

(Is this what you and Breezy Brum mean by feeding?!) :)

Posted
  • Location: Portland, Dorset
  • Weather Preferences: Mixed winters and springs, thundery summers and meditteranean autumns
  • Location: Portland, Dorset
Posted
Mais oui, mon chere... Let them eat cake.

(Is this what you and Breezy Brum mean by feeding?!)  :rolleyes:

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:lol:

Use 'Baby Bio' ;)

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Just a quick update, as I know some of you worry about the state of my shrubbery etc.

My Kalanchoe looks really healthy after its pruning... 3 days on and it's not dead yet! Excellent. :o

Posted
Just a quick update, as I know some of you worry about the state of my shrubbery etc.

My Kalanchoe looks really healthy after its pruning... 3 days on and it's not dead yet! Excellent. :)

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How is your bush looking now Lazy P, is it still looking perky?

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Indeed Hemmypoo's, it is still perky, vibrantly coloured and glossy.

Which is nice.

Posted
  • Location: Merseyside
  • Location: Merseyside
Posted

Well I am worried now... the thought of having an indestructible plant was very comforting.

And to clarify... my approach is not harsh... just benign neglect. :lol:

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