Petal | Stem | Bloom |

A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers.

Deadheading is the removal of flowers from plants when they have faded or died. It is done to keep plants looking attractive and encourage re-flowering.

Deadheading

Preparation

Check there are flowers in the garden that are ready to pick or in need of deadheading.

Equipment

• Scissors
• String 
• Bucket of water
• Trugs of buckets for deadheading
• Gloves, especially when cutting flowers with sappy stems such as daffodils or tulips

1. Show the group a flower that is ready for picking, then one that is too young, a bud, and one that has gone over, so they are sure of all the stages of a flower’s development
2. Using scissors, carefully cut off the flowers for picking, follow the flower stem back to the point where it joins the main stem and cut there. This ensures the flower comes with the longest stem possible, for arranging in a vase
3. Place the cut flowers straight into a bucket of water to keep them fresh
4. Deadheading: look for old flowers, the petals will appear old and faded and may show the beginning of the fruit or seed pod
5. Using scissors, cut off the old flowers, cutting back to where the flowering stem meets the main stem. Be careful not to cut off any young buds
6. Collect the old flowers and put them on the compost heap
7. Take cut flower stems inside for arranging in a vase or tie in bunches for sale. Repeat every few days to encourage further flowering

• Faded flowers often show the beginning of the seed pod. Flower buds can also look like seed pods – point out the difference so pupils don’t cut off the buds by mistake
• With small flowers ‘pinch off’ the old flower heads with your finger and thumb