In summer it ensures that your home garden has flowers: the coneflower. From July onwards, the perennial produces numerous flowers in purple, white or yellow that make the outdoor area shine. But the plants of the genera “Rudbeckia” and “Echinacea” are “moody”. If they suddenly stop producing flowers for a year, then you naturally wonder what went wrong with the coneflower care. We list several possible reasons why the plant suddenly stops blooming.
Coneflower Care: Common Reasons Why the Echinacea Plant Doesn't Bloom
For now: There are two large genera of coneflowers that are particularly popular as garden plants in this country. The genus “Echinacea” has pink-red flowers. The genus “Rudbeckia” blooms in bright yellow. There are some key differences in care. The varieties that belong to the genus “Rudbeckia” will no longer bloom after the dead ones have been cut off. TheEchinacea varietiesbloom again after cutting off what has faded. In today's article we will take a closer look at the Echinacea genus. If the coneflower produces no or only a few flowers, then it could be due to:
Help, my coneflower isn't blooming! That's it
- Wrong location.The sunflower needs at least 4 hours of direct sunlight, preferably in the afternoon, every day. PossibleSolution: Transplant outdoor plants in spring, move potted flowers.
- Clay soil: An airy soil with good drainage is an absolute must.Solution:Loosen the soil and incorporate sand.
- Sunflowers need to be divided every three yearsbecome. Immediately after transplanting or division, the plant will focus on root development and the formation of new leaves. The flowering period is significantly shortened.Solution:Do not divide the echinacea too often.
- Overfertilization:Coneflowers can cope with poor soil. Too much fertilizer can have the opposite effect and slow growth. The result – flower production decreases. Nitrogen fertilizers will promote leaf formation.Solution:Ideally once in spring and once in autumnCompost into the groundincorporate. For potted plants, you can give liquid fertilizer once a month.
Incorrect coneflower care has a negative effect on flower formation
- Irregular watering:In summer, plants react particularly sensitively to incorrect watering. The rule of thumb applies here: water generously from below, preferably early in the morning or late afternoon. Never let the floor dry out. Work a drainage layer of gravel or sand into the soil.
- Not removing dead flowers in time:To promote flower formation, dead flowers must be removed in a timely manner. The shoots are shortened to 30 cm. The best time is in the evening or very early in the morning. Otherwise, the sensitive interfaces can burn under the strong summer rays. Only when the temperatures drop at the beginning of September should you stop cutting off the spent flowers.Solution:Cut off the faded flowers regularly until the end of August, after which they need to be pruned in autumn.
- Self-prepared young plantsneed time to develop. They may not produce flowers the first year or they may bloom later. The postponed flowering period of purchased young plants in the first year is usually due to the fact that the new shoot tips are cut off in the garden centers in spring. This promotes growth and ensures blooms in mid to late July.
What promotes flower formation?
Fertilize Echinacea correctly
Work compost into the soil every year in autumn and spring. If necessary, provide the flowers in raised beds or pots with suitable fertilizer in summer. It is best to use a universal fertilizer with NPK 5.5 – 5 – 7.5. These liquid fertilizers contain a balanced combination of nutrients and important trace elements that can reduce the negative effects of weather factors such as heat or heavy rainfall.
The right lighting conditions
The lighting conditions at a location can vary greatly depending on the plants and the season. In the spring the corner next to the lawn was in the sun all day long, but in the summer the bush developed splendidly, grew quickly and now casts shade on the plant. Trees, hedges or other perennials can also have a significant influence on the lighting conditions in the garden. So if the flowers don't bloom this year, transplanting them may make sense.
Coneflower Care: Should I cut my plants after flowering?
You can cut back the coneflower either in spring or in autumn after the flowering period has ended. Pruning in autumn is recommended for plants over 4 years old; young plants are best pruned in spring. Proceed as follows:
- First clean a pair of sharp secateurs.
- For young plants and potted plants: Shorten the shoots to around 20 cm after the end of the flowering period.
- For plants that have been growing in the bed for at least 5 years, cut the shoots off close to the ground.
Do not cut off all the faded flowers
If you regularly remove dead flowers in the summer, you canExtend flowering time. But please don't cut off all the faded flowers. Leave some flower heads standing, even in winter.
