Pruning Nicotiana

matt_fender

I'm growing these for the first time this year, and have a general mix (can't remember the name) as well as "Whispers mixed". They've been good so far, but are starting to look a little tired. I haven't really kept on top of dead-heading, as there are so many individual flowers.  I've read advice online to prune them for regrowth and bloom, but precious little detail on how to go about it. I think I would like to do it now if possible, as I also plan to remove a lot of spent cornflowers that are crowding some of the plants, before heading off on holiday for a week so it would be nice if any regrowth could start whilst we are away.
Any tips on how to go about it? Chop them down quite aggressively (half?), feed and keep watered? Would be nice to get another flush from them.

AnniD

*Bump*

BobFlannigon

I don't think you can prune Nicotiana, just remove dead heads so that they don't go to seed.

Pete.8

You could trim them back a bit if you feel the need.
So long as you leave some stem with leaves below, the plant will send out new shoots from the leaf joints.
As Bob says you only really need to remove dead flowers, so that the plant continues to produce new flowers. Once a flower has been pollinated and set seed the plant has done its job so it starts to die.  By stopping seed forming you force the plant to continue flowering.

matt_fender

Thanks guys. I have read conflicting reports elsewhere online, with some people recommending pruning - but, as I mentioned, without much in the way of advice on exactly how to do it. I think I'll cut off all flowering branches (most have now gone over) and give a good feed before we go away and see how they go.