pinch back

pinch something back

to pinch off a bit of the top of a plant so it will branch and grow more fully. You should pinch this back so it will branch. Pinch back the new leaves at the top.

See also: back, pinch

References in periodicals archive ?

Pruning depends on the plant - it is often good to pinch back the shoots of young plants in order to encourage branching and get a more full-looking plant.

Mother nature's gift; Gardening club; Nurture them, water them and give them room to grow and, if you're lucky, they'll buy you a plant for Mother's Day. Here's how to look after it

When the plants reach about 20cm tall, pinch back the stems to just above the second set of leaves.

How to... grow garden mums; Gardening

The hope is for Piers and Susanna to build on the show's growing ratings and to pinch back viewers from BBC Breakfast.

MORGAN SPICES UP BREKKY TV TEAM; Piers will bid to boost ratings

The hope is for Piers and Susanna to build on the show's growing ratings, and to pinch back viewers from BBC Breakfast.

Good Morgan Britain; Piers is close to landing permanent deal as host of ITV breakfast show

Pinch back basil plants often to discourage flowers from forming and to keep plants compact.

Your checklist

After planting, it also pays to pinch back weak or spindly shoots to encourage strong young growth.

The curious life cycle of little ivy

Clegg got on the field for his second 'debut' after rejoining Newcastle from Harlequins, but it was Sale controlling the scoreboard as Macleod regained his kicking range to pinch back the lead, slotting a penalty from out in front.

Resilient Falcons put the boot in to sink Sharks

To pinch back third on the final stage to give us a podium overall on the rally was the icing on the cake.

SIMPSON TAKES NATIONAL TITLE; City rally star wins Fiesta class

In the pumpkin patch, after several fruits set, I pinch back the vines, which allows nutrients to concentrate on production.

Plant pumpkins now for fall faces later

Defeating Starspangledbanner is an entirely different proposition, of course, but it must be remembered that Ballydoyle's speed-merchant has been on the go all year and may now be starting to feel the pinch back at five furlongs.

Hughie offers Nunthorpe value

Getting the better of Starspangledbanner is a different proposition, but Ballydoyle's speed-merchant has been on the go all year and may now be starting to feel the pinch back at five furlongs.

Hugh's a decent outside chance?

Portulaca salads; warm-season Pinch back often to oleracea annual.

All about growing spinach

A You will get better results if you continuously pinch back herbs rather than let them go to seed.

question time

Meanwhile, in order to create fuller plants, it is important to pinch back about half of the new growth on each shoot during the spring and summer, repeating every time shoots reach three to five inches tall.

Mum's the word: here's a secret. This favorite fall flower is much more than a haystack sidekick

When seedling is about a foot high, you can pinch back about a third of it for a fuller plant.