How do I prune this?
I know bleeding heart, Dicentra, as a perennial plant so maybe we aren't talking about the same thing. In the heat of summer, bleeding heart looks ragged. If yours has yellowing of the leaves despite watering then it is going dormant. You can cut it back to the ground.
when can I trans plant here in zone 6/7
If the plant is dormant, or nearly so, you can transplant the rhizomes now. Cut off the remaining foliage and remove dead, shriveled rhizomes.
Mid October in Houston, Texas and my bleeding heart is just now beginning to bloom. Is this common?
It can be just a little confused, if the temperatures are a little cooler. Maybe this is the case? Otherwise, it is just a fluke this year. Typically these will bloom in spring. Here is an article for more information on the plant: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/christmas-cactus/advice-for-christmas-cactus-care.htm
How do I grow Bleeding Hearts in my area ( in the southern NH )My email is jsylor@comcast.net.
Bleeding hearts are perennial and grow easily from seed. They perform best with morning sun or filtered shade and moist soil. In mid-summer heat, the stems/leaves begin to look ragged. At this point, you may prune them back or cut them to the ground and they will remain dormant. They bloom in spring and are not repeat bloomers.
after the bleeding blooms do I need to cut or pinch the green stem off of the plant
Actually it is best to not deadhead your Bleeding Heart.
Just let it die back naturally.
This will be the first time I have attempted to grow the "bleeding hearts" plant. Is there any special care they may need? Also, what are some plants that do well in pots (hanging, incl.)? I'm looking for any that drape over or are very full. Doesn't matter if they are annual or perinneal. Thanks!
There are several Dicentra cultivars and native varieties. They share the need for afternoon shade with morning sun and rich, moist soils. They are intolerant of dry and wet soils. Dicentra spectabilis, from Asia, is the largest and most likely to go dormant mid summer in hot, dry weather. If this happens, the foliage gets yellow and ratty-looking, so cut it down to the ground. Dicentra eximia is native to Eastern US, is smaller but blooms mid summer. "luxuriant" is a hybrid with nice foliage that doesn't usually go dormant but does not bloom mid-summer. The main bloom is springtime but it may rebloom in the fall. If your soil is average fertility, dig 3-4 inches of compost into the top 6 inches. Fertilizer isn't needed but add 1 inch of compost annually. As to hanging planters, popular choices are petunias, fuchsia, wild yam, silver licorice plant, some begonias, trailing or climbing zonal geranium, Black-eyed Susan vine, nasturtium and Callibrachoa.
The plant comes up (bleeding heart) all green but no hearts on at all ,Second year for plant.
They should start to flower relatively early. This may mean that it is lacking fertilizer, or the pH is off. I would add dolomitic lime to buffer the pH, and fertilize once per year, at least, with an all-purpose. This article will guide you on the care of these: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/bleeding-heart/bleeding-heart-care.htm