---
title: "Hi everyone! I started my first cut flower garden (thanks TikTok) and…"
description: "Hi everyone! I started my first cut flower garden (thanks TikTok) and I noticed the bottom leaves on some sprouts are dying off and the stems are turning…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg/pGvxyngbQay6SHQ7ElxGOw"
community: "Propagating & Sowing"
author: "Lauren M"
published: "2024-05-21T16:41:23.279039Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/UfhbB2DWQO2zd--O2TL8rg.webp?size=large"
---

[Community](https://getplanta.com/community.md) / [Propagating \& Sowing](https://getplanta.com/community/GpJkJG2qS7KZ7LpSwQwhSg.md)

# Hi everyone! I started my first cut flower garden (thanks TikTok) and…

_Posted by Lauren M on 2024-05-21_

Hi everyone! I started my first cut flower garden (thanks TikTok) and I noticed the bottom leaves on some sprouts are dying off and the stems are turning brown. What am I doing wrong?

I’ve never sowed anything before so this is all new to me. I’m in central Texas if that helps!

![Attachment 1 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/UfhbB2DWQO2zd--O2TL8rg.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 2 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/VWnuE_eXTrunwrTDPsSCJA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 3 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/W2-vX1MQSOWvqBRptaMSdw.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 4 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/XnmS-eJhQ02zI22KxVomAA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 5 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/_1LDMf5DRJKR2L7iBmZTZA.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 6 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/ixlnqmA-RwCl7XRAgBcT-g.webp?size=large)

![Attachment 7 of 7](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/qOCK4CECQFWOs8RnQTytNw.webp?size=large)

## 5 comments

### Ji11 commented on 2024-05-21

The first leaves on seedlings usually die off. The browning on the stems looks like normal hardening off. On the cosmos, zinnias and maybe others you can even pinch the tops off (above the second set of true leaves) to achieve a fuller plant. My only suggestion is to not plant the sunflowers in the same bed, they have a large root system and are known to stunt growth of nearby plants. They do better in a separate area together 🌻

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-05-21

The soil also looks very dense with mulch, what was used?

#### Lauren M replied on 2024-05-21

Thank you! This is what was used

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CG5VmB3y53m452Ji-rqB0JWUwGiEF2yOHDhTchpVME0/91j2YR9rQtOt3NK_i_ggSA.webp?size=large)

#### Lauren M replied on 2024-05-21

What do you mean by pinch the tops off?

#### Ji11 replied on 2024-05-22

You remove the tops. Only after the second set of “true leaves” (the bottom ones that are dying are not true leaves) this will make two leaders grow instead of just one.  
\*example of a pinched off basil plant  
Then you get two flowers doubling yield and filling out the plant.  
Not all plants/flowers will do this but most do.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/fBH_28A5qaP2hoVvraoji7PuhH2kRqkI0DYvYyUVg94/Ic1aCuyTQGe03LdCdF9NrQ.webp?size=large)

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