How to get long stems?

[caroline7758]

I've grown more flowers this year and am pleased with the results, but can anyone give me any tips for getting long stems for cutting? Do you have to sacrifice number of blooms for length?

[caroline7758]

[Tee Gee]

Do you have to sacrifice number of blooms for length?

With lots of flowers yes but not all.

Let us know the types of flowers you are growing then we can try and be more specific

[caroline7758]

Mainly Sunflowers, Rudbeckia, Dahlias  and Cosmos, all from seed.

[Tee Gee]

Well I can speak for Dahlias but. I would say use the same techniques with the others you mention:


Week 30/32: Give plants a high potash feed to stiffen the stems and enhance the colour of the blooms.

Thin out the number of branches on each plant and remove secondary buds. This will give better quality long stemmed flowers.

[caroline7758]

Thanks- maybe I need to sow more next year and treat some for cutting and others for garden display.