Training and grooming refer to a number of activities, including pinching, pruning, and disbudding. Pinching (pdf) is the removal of 1 inch (2.5 cm) or less of new stem and leaf growth just above the leaf node. This leaves the plant compact and stimulates new growth. It can be a one-time or continuous activity, depending on the plant’s requirements and the appearance desired by the plant owner. Frequent pinching will make a plant compact but well filled out.

Pruning (pdf) is similar to pinching. It includes the removal of entire branches and shoots other than terminal shoot tips and is done for the sake of appearance, to improve a plant’s structure, or to remove dead plant material.

Disbudding (pdf) is another related care activity. Certain flower buds are removed either to obtain larger blooms from a few choice buds or to eliminate flowering of a very young plant or recently rooted cutting that should not bear the physical drain of flowering.

Keeping indoor plants clean and neat not only improves their appearance but reduces the incidence of insects and disease problems. Remove all spent flowers, dying leaves, and dead branches. Keep leaves dust-free by washing them with warm water and mild dish washing soap (cover the pot to prevent soap from entering the soil). If the tips of leaves become brown and dry, trim them neatly with sharp scissors.