Removing Pieris seeds - is it too late?

dj.mcdonald

Need advice on a couple of pieris in pots. I didn’t deadhead last year. I’m now not sure what is last year’s seeds versus this year’s incoming flowers. 

Obviously I don’t want to cut off all this seasons flower buds, if that’s what they are. Likewise I don’t want old tatty seed heads spoiling the look of the plant when it does come into flower. Help! 

Pictures attached 

Fairygirl

Those are the old heads.
I'm surprised they aren't already flowering, but you can see little buds right in the centre of the plants in that first pic.

They need a lot of watering in pots to get the best from them. Plus the right soil mix   

dj.mcdonald

Thanks Fairygirl. We are in quite a cold spot, so things tend to flower a bit later in this garden, even compared to the village down the road. 

Ok, so I can safely remove the old seeds. Sounds like I should top up the pot with ericaceous compost and water with rainwater? 

Fairygirl

Is it only in compost? They really need to be in a soil based mix if potted long term, and then you'd refresh the top layer every year, and maybe add a feed now and again. If you're not in a soft water area, then rainwater would be better, but especially keep on top of that if you get long dry spells as the rain can't penetrate the canopy easily   

Ours round here would normally be a bit later too, but there's been no winter, so quite a few things are flowering earlier than normal.