Million bells, also known as calibrachoa, are a popular annual flower prized for their prolific bloom. These flowers can bloom nonstop from spring till frost with proper care. Deadheading is an essential technique for keeping million bells flowering abundantly all season long. Here’s what you need to know about how and when to deadhead million bells.
What is Deadheading?
Deadheading simply means removing spent blooms from a plant. It’s an important maintenance practice for annuals, perennials, and flowering shrubs
When flowers fade, the plant puts energy into developing seeds. By removing the spent blooms, you redirect that energy into producing more flowers instead of seeds.
Deadheading makes plants bloom longer and heavier It also improves the look of your garden beds and containers by getting rid of unattractive, faded flowers.
When to Deadhead Million Bells
The best time to deadhead million bells is when the flowers just start to fade and look unattractive. This is usually when the corolla (petals) lose their bright color and start to brown around the edges.
Don’t wait until the flowers drop off, or seed pods start to form. Deadhead early in the flower’s decline for best results.
Deadhead flowers daily or every couple of days during the active growing and blooming period, This keeps your million bells plants looking their best
You can slow down on deadheading as bloom naturally declines toward the end of summer. But keeping up with it as much as possible will maximize flower production.
How to Deadhead Million Bells
Deadheading million bells is quick and easy:
Use Your Fingers
The simplest way to deadhead million bells is with just your fingers:
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Grasp the spent bloom between your thumb and index finger.
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Pull straight out, pinching at the base of the flower near the stem.
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Avoid pulling too hard, which can uproot the whole plant.
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Drop the deadheaded blooms into your garden debris container for disposal.
Use Hand Pruners
For quicker deadheading, use a small pair of hand pruners:
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Snip off the spent blooms right where they meet the main stem.
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Make sure not to cut into the green stem tissue.
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Clean the blades periodically during deadheading to remove sap and debris.
Avoid Shearing
Avoid using hedge shears to deadhead million bells. Shearing cuts indiscriminately, removing healthy blooms and buds along with the spent flowers. This will reduce the number of blooms.
Stick to gentle pinching or snipping off each faded bloom individually. This targets only the flowers that need to be removed.
Deadheading Tips
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Deadhead million bells planted in containers every couple of days to keep them blooming strong. Hanging baskets and window boxes need frequent deadheading to maintain their beauty.
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Check million bells in garden beds at least once a week. Deadhead thoroughly to encourage continuous flowering.
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Cut back million bells by about one-third midsummer to encourage reblooming if flowers decline. Then resume deadheading.
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Fertilize regularly to support flowering after deadheading. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
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Remove any damaged or diseased plant parts while deadheading. Disinfect your pruners between plants to prevent spreading disease.
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Increase bloom power next year by saving seeds from this year’s million bells and planting them in early spring.
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Keep deadheaded flowers and foliage out of planting beds to prevent pests and diseases next year.
The Takeaway
Deadheading million bells is like giving your plants a little haircut. Removing the ugly, faded blooms makes way for fresh, new flowers. All it takes is a little attention and time devoted to pinching off those wilted blooms.
The small effort pays off in maximum flower power from your million bells well into fall. And who doesn’t love having vibrant blooms spilling out of containers and garden beds? Keep your million bells looking fresh by making deadheading a regular routine.
When to Prune Calibrachoa
Prune calibrachoa during the active growing season if necessary. Pruning is not required. Only prune if your plant becomes leggy or you want it to take up less space in your garden or container. Avoid trimming during the hottest portion of the day to eliminate adding excess stress on the plant. You can use the trimmings to propagate new plants.
Best Tips for CALIBRACHOAS (Million Bells) – How to Keep Calibrachoas Looking Great
FAQ
How to deadhead a Million Bells?
No, you do not have to deadhead Calibrachoa. They are considered self-cleaning plants, meaning they will drop their spent flowers and continue to bloom without the need for deadheading.
How do you keep Million Bells blooming all summer?
Give million bells ample sunlight, protect their soil from drying out, and fertilize regularly to encourage as many blooms as possible.
What to do with Million Bells after flowering?
Calibrachoa is self-cleaning and the spent flowers do not need regular pinching back or deadheading. If your plant has become overgrown or leggy and has stopped blooming, it needs to be trimmed back. Cutting calibrachoa back will encourage new growth and the production of more blossoms.
How to deadhead cornflowers?
To deadhead cornflowers, simply snip off the spent blooms just above the next set of healthy leaves or a bud on the stem. This encourages the plant to produce more flowers and prevents it from putting energy into seed production.