
Well Established Young Plant Top Several Inches Removed Strong Breaks Resulting 
from Single Pinch 
PINCHING 
Pinching not only regulates the number of stems but also influences the petallage of varieties that 
tend to be single; regulates the neckiness; eliminates the appearance of crown buds; and regulates 
the spray formation on pompons or singles. 
During the past few years we have learned a great deal about pinching. The precision culture of 
chrysanthemum is all set-up around the "Last Pinch''. To grow a quality pompon we should receive 
the rooted cutting some time in June and then plant inte the permanent location approximately three 
weeks before the date listed in our list of varieties under ‘Last Pinch". A good spray formation 
is one that does not have too long a peduncle or flower stem and yet has a good cluster of blooms 
open at one time. To produce this type of spray one should pinch from 100 to 120 days before 
the normal flowering date. If we allow more time than this we will produce a spray that will set 
its crown bud early and the lateral shoots will grow up too long, consequently this growth will be 
too long to be cut as a single spray and too short when cut above the crown bud. 
When pinching only remove the soft growth, never cut into the woody stems as this will not produce 
the type of breaks you desire. In all cases it is better to have at least eight inches of growth on the 
plants before pinching. It is our experience not to pinch until the plant has become well established 
in its permanent location. 
All pinching should be finished by the early part of August as too late a pinching might encourage 
blindness and short stem length. We do feel that those people who grow their chrysanthemums on 
ground beds should pinch about a week earlier than those on raised benches. 
Another important factor is to remove all shoots but 3 or 4 per plant, in a few instances only 2 
shoots are allowed to mature. When fewer breaks are selected the planting distance should be 
closer. If you prefer to have a number of smaller sprays, with fewer blooms open at one time, 
follow the double pinching procedure. 
Standards are usually pinched once to induce breaks so that they may be grown two per plant. The 
strongest breaks are selected and all others removed. It is well to pinch on the date suggested in the 
general list. Careful observation has shown us that neckiness with some varieties is eliminated by 
pinching on the respective dates. Singles and anemones are usually grown 3 to 4 stems per plant. 
If by chance you are delayed in planting and your plants will be too tall, it is advisable to pinch early 
enough before benching so that the breaks will be several inches long at time of planting. Never 
pinch hard plants at the same time they are planted into the bench, a heavy loss may result. Better 
wait until plants are established, then pinch. 
The last pinching dates given after each variety will help you grow that variety to excellency. Re- 
member that pinching is just one cultural factor and will only function when all other cultural points 
are. carried out properly. 
