From our perspective as marigold plants, our natural growth habit is to prioritize vertical growth to reach sunlight and produce a single, dominant terminal bud. This apical bud produces a hormone called auxin that suppresses the growth of the lateral (side) buds lower down on the stem. This biological process, known as apical dominance, ensures our survival in competitive environments by racing upward for light. However, in a garden setting, this natural instinct often results in a tall, lanky plant with only one flower at the very top, which is not the most robust form for us to display our vibrant blooms.
When a gardener pinches or cuts off our topmost shoot, just above a set of leaves, it is a significant event. The immediate effect is the removal of the primary source of auxin. This sudden hormonal shift sends a clear signal throughout our system: the central command center is gone. In response, the previously suppressed lateral buds are released from their dormancy. They are now free to receive more nutrients and energy, and they rapidly begin to grow, developing into new stems. This process, from our viewpoint, is not an injury but a redirection. The energy we were funneling into a single upward climb is now distributed laterally, encouraging us to become bushier and fuller from the base upwards.
The act of pinching fundamentally alters our architecture for the remainder of our lifecycle. Instead of one main stem, we develop multiple, strong stems from a central base. This creates a sturdier plant that is better able to support the weight of future flowers without drooping or requiring staking. A bushier form with more stems naturally leads to the production of more flower buds. For us, reproduction is the ultimate goal, and more stems mean more sites for blooms. Therefore, pinching ultimately results in a far greater display of flowers, which is beneficial for both our reproductive success and the gardener's visual enjoyment. It maximizes our flowering potential.
For this process to be most effective and least stressful for us, timing is crucial. The ideal moment is when we are young, typically around 6 to 8 inches tall, and have developed 3 to 4 sets of true leaves. At this juvenile stage, we are exceptionally resilient and can quickly redirect our growth patterns. The method is simple: using clean fingers or sharp scissors, the gardener should pinch off the top of the main stem, just above a leaf node (the point where leaves emerge from the stem). This precise location is where the new growth will vigorously emerge. It is a minor intervention with a major payoff, setting us on a trajectory for a healthier, more productive, and more beautiful life.
