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"Pinching" can also refer to removing (by piching off) the center of annuals when the first buds appear (or even the main center growth w/o buds ) to make the plant develop side growth and give you a fuller effect and ultimately, more flowers. i.e. Calendulas, Snapdragons, Stock, etc.
Doing this can sometimes delay flowering, but you get fuller plants and more flowers. In the case of say, the Rocket Snapdragons, the plants may not get as tall, but you'll get more flowers if you pich out the center of the main stem when the plants are small.
Tip pinching of some shrubs will give you the same effect and cause the plant to send out more lateral growth, thus giving you fuller plants.
Many plants can be propagated by planting cuttings. These are larger than just pinches, but essentially the same process. Sedum and mums are the easiest plants to grow from cuttings. Just cut off a 3-4 inch piece, strip off the lower leaves and plop it in the soil; keep watered and poof! New growth will appear in a short time.
I always have to prune back my mums anyway to keep them from getting leggy and often do that to my sedum.
It's great to make yourself free plants!
