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Who's for the Chelsea chop?

drc726

By drc726

28 comments


This is the week to do the ‘Chelsea Chop’ Traditionally flowering perennials, annuals and bedding plants get the CC to make more flowers and a better quality bloom with bushier plants. I take the tips off Rudbeckia, Godetia, Antirrhinum, Pansies, Sweet peas,Echinacea, Helenium, and most other bedding plants. This year I am going to do it with the Salvias.As you see I am an advocate, but I wonder if other members consider it a must or not?

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Comments

 

I usually give the Chelsea Chop to some of my Sedum Spectabile family of plants... are there others in addition to those you've listed above which you think would benefit especially from the chop ;o) ?

23 May, 2010

 

I don't grow the kind of plants that get the chop, and being so far north it would probably happen a bit later anyway. However, you have just reminded me of a very happy thing.....chelsea coverage starts today on BBC!!!!!

23 May, 2010

 

I will also be doing my Penstemons and Asters and I think! all my bedding plants, quite a few herbs such as Basil and Mint. I do it to Sedum too TT to keep them from getting straggly.
I have never tried nipping out Aquilegia I wonder if any one has?

23 May, 2010

 

I wonder if I dare chop my Penstemons ? :o(

23 May, 2010

 

I did mine this morning TT but if in doubt dont!!!

23 May, 2010

 

Lol. :o)

23 May, 2010

 

I do my Penstenoms TT not lost one yet!!

23 May, 2010

 

Christopher Lloyd was a great advocate of this - I'll try it on my phlox this year.

23 May, 2010

 

Never done this Drc, but if you do yours TT I`ll do mine - penstemons.

23 May, 2010

 

I will chop SOME of my Penstemons ...
... I lost several over the cold winter, so I don't have many :o(((

I wonder if it is possible to grow Penstemon cuttings from the bits we chop off ....

23 May, 2010

 

Worth a try TT I only take about an inch off the shoots though.

23 May, 2010

 

Tt, yes, it's not just possible to take cuttings from 'Chelsea chop' pieces, it's the best way of not wasting the pieces. Softwood cuttings of penstemons take well at this time of year and get well established before the autumn.

23 May, 2010

 

Thanks folks for information :o)

23 May, 2010

 

Like TT i chop my sedam.

23 May, 2010

 

i did a cople then lost my nerve , may give it another go watch it on telly 2 nite very gud

24 May, 2010

 

Its 'Chelsea Chop' that makes it sound alarming Cristina lol, whereas I only nip out the tips of the shoots or lightly trim. I think all mine are done now?

25 May, 2010

 

ooooooo so wen my seedling r all up shud i do it ,i have rudbeker larcksper sweet peas morning glory stocks wot u think

25 May, 2010

 

Its really like dead heading but you do it to the tips before they flower. I think sweet peas and stock would be better for having the tips nipped off. Why not do it to some and leave some to compare Cristina?

25 May, 2010

 

ok oooooooooooooooooooooooo scary lol

29 May, 2010

 

i gave the chop to my perennial wallflowers.... and am going to do my echinaceas.....

1 Jun, 2010

 

Yes I did those, and I think the PW's really benefit.

1 Jun, 2010

 

I've 'attacked' my Sedum spectabile - well, one of them. I was chicken to do it all, lol.

1 Jun, 2010

 

Has anyone given the Chelsea Chop to their Anemone japonica and how successful was it?

4 Jun, 2011

 

No I havent as I find mine flower very well and they prefer to be mostly left alone, I do have them in partial shade though.

4 Jun, 2011

 

Anyone tried it with shasta daisies? I daren't do it in case I lose them!

5 Jun, 2011

 

Yes every year I cut them right back after flowering I think it keeps them tight, I found that dividing them made them grow very straggly.

5 Jun, 2011

 

I have just remembered I meant to 'chop' my Lysimachia 'Firecracker' - must remember that in the morning.

7 Jun, 2011

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