I have learned a lot about how it’s needed, in particular for short growing seasons and to prevent some pests. Still, you would think I’m killing puppies or separating twins.

  • LogLurker
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    41 year ago

    I struggle with that too. It makes me feel a little better that they’re going straight into the compost pile to become nutrients though.

    • AlacranOP
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      41 year ago

      Using the compost does make it a little better. I also try to think of the clump as a single plant that I’m pruning, which to be fair I also do very hesitantly.

      • @PlantDna
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        41 year ago

        Never use diseased plants for compost. You only help propagate the disease.

        • 0x1C3B00DA
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          31 year ago

          isn’t the compost pile supposed to be hot enough to kill any disease?

          • @PlantDna
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            51 year ago

            It needs to get very hot to kill the pathogens. It’s possible, yes, but maybe not in a small bin at home

            • AlacranOP
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              51 year ago

              Good to think about though. I read somewhere that the compost should be at least 1 cubic meter to have any chance of reaching a high enough temperature; my garden compost is at least that big. But I do still refrain from adding diseased things, or invasive plants.

              When I thin my plants it tends to be because I’ve planted too many seeds at once for example. A lot of the times I separate them instead, but I don’t need that many plants to risk separation.