Pinching Out

[workhorse]

Why does one "Pinch Out" a shoot, and not "Cut out" a shoot. Is there a reason for the pinching?

[Snadger]

Good question workhorse!

I would imagine its because when you pinch out, you cut from each side with your nails (similar to a pair of pincers) and take the shoot away. Cutting from one side with a pruning knife could allow one side of the stem to tear and you may even end up cutting into another part of the plant.
There are probably a host of other technical reasons for doing it but for me, using your fingers instead of looking for other tools to do it, saves a lot of hassle!

[Two_Sheds]

Pinching out makes the plant bushier and more flowerfull (fuchsia, dahlia, sweet peas etc).
Just nip/pinch out the top of the shoot with your nails.

[JennieAtkinson]

I thought it was just because one did it on young plants with soft stems so they are capable of being "nipped". Could be wrong though!

[pigletwillie]

Its "pinching out" as over time people have realised that the best tool for the job is a finger and thumb. Not being sharp they dont damage any growth that isnt meant to be and they are by far more dexterous and gentle than scissors or secataurs.

The added bonus is that you dont need to carry a specific tool to do the job, if you see a plant that needs that needs pinching out, and tomato side shoots are a prime example of that, you can just do it without going back to the shed to get the kit needed.

[workhorse]

Yes, but if you're only cutting through a soft stem in a greenhouse where you just happen to have a pair of scissors, what then. Surly a pair of scissors will give you a far cleaner cut, especially if you don't have a decent pair of fingernails.

Could it be that by pinching out, you are in theory not leaving such an open wound on the stem. By pinching out you are closing the wound of the cut surface because the action isn't so clean cut. Just a thought.

[rustylady]

I think one can use either scissors, a sharp knife, or finger and thumb. It really doesn't matter as long as the "wound" is clean. Obviously pinching out only applies to soft growth. I have to admit I did my sweet peas with a pair of hairdressing scissors, but only because I happened to have them handy - don't ask why!!

[pigletwillie]

The original term pinching out is exactly just what generations of gardeners generally did, "pinch out".

As rusty says you can use what you will, its academic what you use, but the term which has stuck through the centuries is "pinching out".

If you cut back hard growth, thats pruning, pinching out generally refers to the tips of soft new (ish) growth.

[tracyeldred]

Pinching out tomatoes

Should we pinch out the first true leaves of tomatoes seedlings to promote two stems (more toms) and/or a thicker,stronger stem? I thought my grandad taught me something about pinching out and or the first true leaves, but can't think for the life of me what exactly it was.

Any ideas what it could be?

[Flummery]

With toms you pinch out side shoots. You are actually doing the opposite of the above. If you pinch early you cause multiple stems and bushiness. With (most) tomatoes you grow them as a cordon - a single stem, so you pinch out any side shoots it tries to grow. Toms will not throw sideshoots till they have much more than their first true leaves. Usually they are about a foot high. So don't do anything till you get side-shoots will you?