Disbudding

What Does Disbudding Mean?

In botany, disbudding refers to the optional process of gradually removing the flower buds that grow on the plant’s stem in order to enhance the lifespan and development of the remaining buds.

Limiting the number of growth buds or flowers can be beneficial to younger and weaker trees since it prevents superfluous branches from developing. Disbudding can also encourage nutrients and food to travel to weaker-looking buds that look like they might still fully blossom.

Maximum Yield Explains Disbudding

Botanists recommend that the buds be removed as early as possible for better results. In Dahlias, for example, it is important to disbud the plant in its early stage to prevent severe overcrowding. Additionally, disbudding can also ensure that large-flowered plants produce the highest-quality blooms, something that can be quite advantageous to larger-scale farmers.

In plants such as violas, lupins, and delphiniums, disbudding can actually trigger a second flowering process. On the other hand, it is not recommended to disbud decorative plants since this might hinder its blooming stage.

To disbud a plant, all you need to do is cut them off with a sharp knife or simply rub them between your forefinger and thumb.

It is important to note that disbudding is different than deadheading, which is the removal of completely dead, fully grown flowers. Although not a necessity, deadheading keeps the garden looking tidy by removing dead blooms.