Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 99, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 April 1913 — CUTTING OF PUNTS INCREASES BLOOM [ARTICLE]

CUTTING OF PUNTS INCREASES BLOOM

Columbines, Hollyhocks and Other Hardy Perennials Respond Very Quickly. The cutting of flowers of any sort results in increased bloom. Some years ago, needing a quantity of cut flowers whep blossoms were very scarce, I cut every stalk of my columbine. To my surprise it sent up new flower stalks and bloomed a second time that spring, which it never does if the seed is allowed to ripen. Since making this discovery I have learned that hollyhocks respond to the same treatment in the same way, and it may be that the same thing is true of other hardy perennials. Sweet peas, pansies, verbenas, etc., must have the flowers cut off, allowing no seed pods to form, if one would have continuous bloom. Never a rose should be allowed to remain on the bush until it drops its petals, or a geranium until it fades, it one would have roses and geraniums in abundance.