"Off with their heads" deadheading marigolds.

image from tinygardens.com 

"Off with their heads"  deadheading marigolds 

Good morning, and what a lovely morning.  Blue sky with cumulus clouds, wind out of NW, so we have lower humidity.  High today of 75F(24C). Perfect spring day, and for us here in North America it is still spring.  Summer doesn’t start till June 21st which is soon.  Prediction for the next 10 days below normal temperatures with rain showers.  That will be good for all of us to be in the gardens.  ENJOY, and stay safe.
 
Australia family and friends for June 19th Friday will have 63F(17C) Evelyn said the weather will turn colder for them and looks like rain also.   It is interesting when the friends write that they are looking forward to spring during this wintertime for them.   Stay warm, stay safe. 
 
I am posting again an article on deadheading.  It is so important to keep the plants blooming and looking awesome.  What a good thing to do when you have had a hard day at work or at home, and you can go out and cut off the spent( dead) blooms. Frustration goes away when you take care of these blooms.  I like it that this author talked about cutting the spent( dead bloom) down to the first set of leaves which you see in the picture not just take off the spent bloom and leave the stem.  That stem will die and not look so good sticking up. This is what I tell the kids all the time to do for their fair pots.  Happy dead heading.  I hav to do it all the time with plants on the wagons.  “OFF with their heads.”
Do You Need to Deadhead Marigolds? Here’s What Experts Say  By  Stephanie Bartlett
Marigolds are among the most popular flowers for gardens, known for their vibrant colours and pest-repelling properties.
Deadheading not only helps plants stay looking neat, it is also an important process to help encourage more blooms. But what exactly is deadheading, and how does it benefit your marigolds?
What is Deadheading?   Deadheading is the simple process of removing spent or faded flowers from a plant. The main goal is to promote flowering, keeping the plant vibrant.  By cutting off the flowers that have finished their cycle, you’re allowing the plant to focus its energy on producing fresh blooms rather than trying to maintain the old ones. Deadheading also helps to keep your marigolds tidy and prevent the plant from looking tired or overgrown.
Do Marigolds Benefit from Deadheading?
Experts agree that marigolds benefit greatly from deadheading. Removing dead flowers not only encourages the plant to produce more blooms but also keeps the plant looking healthy.  Simply put, deadheading marigolds will result in a fuller, longer-lasting show of flowers. It’s a small effort with big rewards.  Encourages continuous blooming: By removing spent flowers, you encourage the production of new flowers, extending the blooming season.  Improves plant appearance: Deadheading helps keep the plant looking tidy and well-maintained.  Reduces disease and pest risk: Decaying flowers can attract pests and diseases. By removing them, you reduce the risk of infestations that could harm your plant.
When to Deadhead Marigolds
Ideally, deadhead marigolds as soon as the blooms start to fade or look wilted. This keeps the plant looking fresh and encourages the development of new flowers.  It’s a good habit to check your marigolds weekly. The more regularly you deadhead, the better the results will be. While it’s easy to forget to do it, making it part of your weekly garden routine will help you stay on top of it.
How to Deadhead Marigolds (Quick Steps)
Deadheading marigolds is simple and can be done with just a few quick steps:
Use your fingers to pinch the spent flower or use pruning scissors for a cleaner cut.
Cut the flower at the stem, just above the next set of leaves or buds. This encourages fresh growth and keeps the plant looking neat.
It’s a straightforward process that takes only a few minutes but makes a noticeable difference to the health and appearance of your marigolds.
What Happens if You Don’t Deadhead Marigolds?
If you choose not to deadhead your marigolds, you’ll likely notice a few changes:  Reduced blooming period: Without regular deadheading, the plant’s energy goes into producing seeds instead of new flowers. This can shorten the blooming period.  Leggy and less tidy appearance: Marigolds can become leggy, with long, spindly stems that don’t look as attractive when flowers are left to decay on the plant.  While leaving spent flowers on the plant won’t be detrimental to its health, skipping deadheading can result in a less vibrant plant with fewer flowers.
 Seed harvesting: If your goal is to harvest seeds, you will want to leave the flowers on the plant. Low-maintenance or naturalized gardens: Naturalized gardens are designed to mirror a natural ecosystem, where plants are left to self-establish and spread naturally. In these planting schemes, deadheading would not be as critical.
Expert Tips for Easy Deadheading
To make deadheading easier, keep these expert tips in mind: 
Use correct tools: Clean, sharp scissors make the process quicker and more effective, ensuring a clean cut that won’t damage the plant or introduce pathogens.
Deadhead regularly: The more frequently you do it, the better the results.
Compost old blooms: Instead of discarding the dead flowers, consider adding them to your compost pile.
Conclusion
Deadheading marigolds is an easy but highly beneficial task for anyone growing these cheerful flowers.  It encourages continuous blooming, improves the plant’s appearance, and reduces the risk of pests and disease.  By following simple steps—pinching or cutting off spent blooms—you can keep your marigolds looking their best all season long.
Taken from https://www.tinygardenhabit.com/deadheading-marigolds-experts-opinion/
Till next time this is Becky Litterer , Becky’s Greenhouse, Dougherty Iowa [email protected]  641-794-3337  cell 641-903-9365  Beckysgreenhouse.com  Facebook Becky Kerndt Litterer or Becky’s Greenhouse