Pinch off leaves before trenching or not?

[Junebug2016]

Hi everyone, I know it's generally recommended to pinch or clip off the lower leaves before trenching, but I've seen and read about some people just burying the stem without removing any extra leaves and they say it doesn't matter. So what are the pros and cons of removing leaves or not? I can only imagine that the leaves would rot and might cause some damage to the plant. I just did trench mine and was tempted to not clip the leaves since I was afraid of I might break the stem by accident. But I'm just curious since I still have a few to plant this week. Thanks!

[Captain Neon]

I've been leaving the leaves on for years in different growing zones and climates with no trouble. My own theory is that there is greater risk of disease with the new wounds than allowing the plant to deal with the buried leaves on its own.

[PaulF]

Trenching was always a problem for my fumble fingers, so I just dig the hole deeper to the spot where the right amount of plant is above ground and the right amount below. Don't ask me where those spots are, I just guess. My problem was snapping stems on the bend upright part.

I agree with the Captain, just bury the leaves.

[Tracydr]

I've always pinched them off but not sure why.
I don't try to bend mine,just leave them flat and they straighten by themselves.

[ContainerTed]

Being a lazy old man, I have a few transplants that may need trenching each year. Leggy plants because of whatever delays in getting them out, and a host of other "excuses" and there they are.

Thinking back, I guess I've done it all kinds of ways. A shallow lay-down, a deep hole straight down, and everything in between. Sometimes I clip the main stem clean of all branches. And sometimes, if the "excavation" is major, I put it all in there.

I have had to dig a couple up over the years. I did not see where the root system took over the untrimmed leaf stems at all. So, I don't value their presence or anything. They don't seem to do any good nor any harm. If I have the choice, though, I'll clean them off. The leaves and their stems are a lot of tender surface to expose to the dirt that may contain some bad guys. The small wound of removing the leaves is a smaller target for any trouble.

[DjonesNC]

I've tried both methods and pinched last year. In considering what Captain said I'm leaning on the side that he is correct. Quite a few plants bit the dust last year and when given a considerable amount of after thought, it make sense that a buried plant with a wound could pick up quite a few nasty's from the soil.

[kurt]

Since I grow in containers and have taken a cherry and dipped it in another container to see if it would work.It did and when at the end of the season I scatter(spent soil in lawn) and check for rootball development and the cut (trained trench stalks buried)showed roots come from not only the cut areas but a mass of roots just seem to enjoy the below ground areas.

[guruofgardens]

When I trench plant my leggy tomatoes, I never cut or pinch the lower leaves.

[GrowingCoastal]

I had been wondering about whether to remove leaves before planting or not. I did have one plant wilt because of rot getting into the stem from the new wound of having removed the leaf. I don't like the idea of burying leaves. The conclusion I came to was to remove any leaves ahead of planting day to let the wounds dry and heal over before planting. Next year.

[Deborah]

Love your name-I have a tiny rabbit named Junebug!

[salix]

For what it's worth - I have always removed the lower leaves and branches about a week before planting to allow the wounds to heal or callous over. Never a problem, but don't think there is a lot of soil-borne disease here either.