Occasionally, the horticultural industry uses industry terms on instructions that can confuse the average gardener. Flowering flush is one of those terms. This is not a commonly used phrase outside of the industry but once you know what it is, it makes perfect sense.

The definition of flowering flush

A flowering flush refers to a point in the flowering plant life cycle where a plant is in full bloom. A plant’s flowering will typically have a predictable pattern. Many types of flowering plants will have all of their blossoms open at the same time and will afterwards have one or very few blossoms open. The period when all of the blossoms are open is called a flowering flush.

Taking advantage of the flowering plant life cycle

With almost any plant that has a flowering flush, you can encourage a second flush by using a technique called deadheading. When different types of flowering plants have finished their flush, and the blossoms have died, immediately after the flowering flush, cut the blossoms off the plant. You should cut back about 1/3 of the plant when deadheading. This should encourage a plant’s flowering a second time.

Many types of flowering plants have a flush. A flowering flush is really no more than a fancy way of talking about a phase in the flowering plant life cycle.