Is there a "guideline" for this? Or...to all plants benefit from pinching back? No, not all plants benefit from pinching back. This is especially true for any and all vegetables. As grandma44 said, tomato seedlings definitely do NOT benefit in any way and in fact, are harmed. Pruning/suckering a fully established tomato plant is one thing - a highly debated thing - but done by some depending on how the plant is supported. But doing any "pinching" of seedlings, regardless of type (determinate or indeterminate) is guaranteed to damage the plant and reduce your production. As to flowers: single stem plants - those where additional branches develop from the stem itself) - isn't recommended because you end up with a top heavy plant that the main stem cannot support, either physically or nutritionally. Plants that develop their other branches from the base of the plant (cluster growing plants such as herbs and low growing flowers) can be pinched but isn't required. There are many helpful posts here on "pinching plants" that a search will pull up for your review if you wish. Dave

Tom, it was the same here yesterday. My kind of weather! Beleive it or not, we do need a light rain. Meterologist predict it Thursday night. I'm going to a lady's house today that has decided to re-landscape all her flowerbeds, plus the city has decided to put in sidewalks in her neighborhood, so a lot of her plants has to go and she's giving them away. Will go and see if there's anything I can use. Said she has peonies, pink and white ones but she didn't label them so guess it's pot luck. Will be interesting to see what she has to offer. I'm going with my shovel, some cardboard boxes and plastic trash bags but I won't be greedy just because it's FREE. No need of taking anything that doesn't fit into my proposed cottage garden color scheme. What happens to the HOS that have become so spindly? Should I try to separate them? I'm afraid they will fall apart as I try to break apart. Will they get fried from the afternoon sun if I plant them out?

i would pinch that bad boy because your plant is still way too small to be putting energy in fruit production. You will still get more blossoms down the road. wait until the plant is 30" tall with a good 1/2" diameter stem. I think the more you pinch at the beginning gives you bigger sweeter fruit later. I LOVE BRANDYWINE!!!

Hello need some help. My potted Avo seems to be flowering in a number of places. I'm guessing i need to remove them to help the tree stay strong? Just wanted to check with the experts before I pinch them off. Any harm in leaving just one or two to see if I can get an avocado? :)