Do you pinch out lobelia seedlings?

morvenksmith

Hi,

I hope someone can help. I’m growing trailing lobelia (Cascade Mix) for the first time from seed. I’ve read you can cut back lobelia after their first flush to promote new growth if they’ve become leggy, but should I be pinching them out as seedlings like I did with sweet peas? They are nearly 8 weeks old and coming along nicely (I think) after taking a while to get established. I’ve got around 5-9 seedlings in each module and noticed the odd seedling taking off from the other ones so I’ve pinched them but should I be doing this? Also is 9 seedlings too many to have in one module? Some people say 4 and others say 12, so I’ve gone in between. 

BobTheGardener

I've never pinched-out lobelia and the number of seedlings sounds about right.  I've just moved mine (both trailing and normal types) from small 2cm modules to larger ones to allow them to grow-on before planting out in a couple of weeks or so.

Lyn

I never pinch out lobelia, but after the first flush of flowers I just grab it and cut it off at its knees, you’ll get a second lot of flowers then, 

morvenksmith

That’s great BobTheGardener, I won’t pinch the other seedlings then. I’m planning on putting mine in larger modules this week. Thank you so much for your help.

morvenksmith

Ok, thank you very much Lyn.