Should you cut dead pitchers? This is a great question that comes up from time to time. Many people wonder if they should remove the fruit from their garden because it is killing it and, of course, it could be toxic. In fact, some gardeners have been known to cut off the top of the fruit pit in order to ensure the plant dies. The problem with that is that they are actually killing the plant as well as ruining its nutritional value and the health of the plant for future harvest.
Let’s start by looking at why this happens in the first place. When you kill a plant you are essentially killing the entire life stage of the plant. Whether you are trying to grow a herb garden or vegetable garden or a fruit tree or vine, this has an effect on all of the organisms that are present and they are not able to reproduce. You will find that the quality of your crop will suffer because all the essential nutrients that the plant requires will be missing.
The dead plant will also have taken up excessive water. This can be a big problem because the roots take up a large percentage of the total volume of the soil. The roots, once alive, will need the water that the plant has taken in to survive. So, when they die, they stop providing the water that is so essential to the plant. Without enough water, the plant will soon die.
Dead plants will also compete with other plants for food. They have low nutrient values and may even be toxic to pets and children. There is nothing like a healthy competing plant that is healthy and full of nutrients for you to look at. If you cut down a plant because you think it is not producing as much fruit as it should be, it is actually doing the opposite because it is trying to increase its yield.
Some experts recommend that you should cut dead flowers because they are not producing any new leaves. This is because a flower’s job is not to make new leaves. A flower simply dies so that it can drop off the tree. It is a good idea to harvest your flower garden in late summer or early fall so that it is not productive during the winter months.
If a plant is dying, there is not much that you can do to revive it. You can feed it with a liquid fertilizer. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer, however, if you have young children or animals around. You can also place a shallow glass of water over the plants to drown the foliage and stimulate growth. You can also try putting a layer of organic mulch over the exposed roots to protect them from drying out. If the problem is severe, you might consider using the services of a reputable nursery to rejuvenate your specimen plant.
Dead plants also add an air of mystery to your yard. Have you ever noticed that after a rain, when walking through a yard that is typically full of green plants, some of the lesser flowers and shrubs are dying back? The truth is that most plants die back because they do not have enough “people” to support them. It is like a chain reaction: once the greenery dies, then the greenery needs more people to keep growing.
When cutting a dead plant, it is important not to cut too deep. The roots can get damaged if you try to sever the stem. Carefully dig the hole to remove the roots, then cover the hole with potting soil. Water the area a week or two later, and your specimen will bloom once again.