A hydrangea in full bloom is probably one of the most beautiful plants to ever grow in a garden. Hydrangeas are the first choice for many gardeners when it comes to garden beauty and home decoration. But a hydrangea not blooming can be frustrating. Why don't hydrangeas bloom and what solutions are there to this problem? Read on for tips on how to get your hydrangea to bloom.
Which varieties have the most flowering problems?
Hydrangeas are picky when it comes to temperature, light and humidity and require quite a bit of work from the gardener to make them as beautiful as possible. But once you know what's going on, most problems are easy to fix. The large-leaved hydrangea, also known as the French hydrangea (although this species is originally from Japan), is the species that gardeners most often have problems with due to a lack of blooms.
Many large-leaved and oak-leaved varieties bloom only on old wood, that is, wood that was produced last summer or earlier. New wood, on the other hand, is what is created in the current growing season. This flowering habit can influence whether or not a plant produces flowers. Why don't hydrangeas bloom? If something happens to the old wood while it is forming the buds that will eventually develop into flowers, you will not see any flowers that year.
Why don't hydrangeas bloom: causes and solutions
It's not just plants that bloom on old wood that can fail. Below we discuss the most common problems that can arise and how to fix them to keep the hydrangea magnificentblooms and thrives.
Incorrect fertilization: excess nitrogen
Nitrogen is one of the most important nutrientsthe plants to surviveneed. They need it to produce new leaves and support existing foliage. But any flowering plant that receives too much nitrogen fertilizer may put too much energy into growing its foliage, at the expense of its flowers. If you are unsure whether nitrogen is causing the problem or not, you should test your soil. Experts recommend that this soil test should be done once a year, regardless of whether you are having problems or not, because a soil test will give you peace of mind as to whether nitrogen is the cause of your blooming problems. The solution is to use a slow-release fertilizer with a higher percentage of phosphorus than nitrogen.
Harsh winters: protect the plants
For large-leaved varieties that only bloom on old wood, a harsh winter can result in the plant not blooming the next year. This is because the buds that develop into flowers form on old wood starting in the fall, but a cold winter can kill these buds. Anything below -15°C can be a problem. Although the oakleaf hydrangea also produces flowers on old wood, it is more cold-resistant and usually does not suffer from this problem.
If you have a particularly harsh winter, you may want to provide some protection. To protect the plants in winter, wrap them in several layers of burlap and secure the material with some twine. You can leave the plants under the cover all winter or just protect them during cold snaps. Remove the burlap once air temperatures are consistently at -10°C or higher.
Incorrect watering: not enough water
All types of hydrangeas like a good oneAmount of moistureand an evenly moist soil. If your soil continually dries out, your plants may not bloom. Plants of the large-leaved species may need watering every other day if you live in a hot and dry climate. These plants require about two inches of water per week. So if there is not enough rain, you need to provide additional watering. Using a rain gauge will help you figure out how much moisture your plants are receiving from Mother Nature so you can supplement the rest. If the leaves begin to wilt, especially in the heat of the day, it is a sign that they are not receiving the desired amount of water.
Why don't hydrangeas bloom: incorrect pruning
One of the most common reasons for no flowers is pruning. If you prune between fall and late spring, you may be cutting off growth of old wood that would have developed into flowers. So when exactly should you prune to avoid this problem? Best in summer after the flowers have faded but before fall arrives. This leaves a small window of time to cut the plant back if you want to make a splendid appearance in spring.
However, there is one exception: dead branches should be cut back to living growth in the spring. Dead wood is dry, breaks when bent, and does not produce visible new growth. You can also cut off the flowerswhen they have faded. If you choose to do this, cut off the flower heads above the first row of leaves. There are also varieties that bloom on both old and new wood, such as the varieties in the Let's Dance, Endless Summer and Seaside Serenade series. If you plant these varieties, you don't have to worry about this problem.
Inappropriate lighting conditions
Hydrangeas thrive in partial shade, but too much of it will prevent them from blooming. If your plant is planted in a location where it doesn't get enough sun, you won't see any flowers. This is often a problem when a gardener plants their hydrangea under trees that are not yet fully grown. As these trees grow and fill out, they block more and more of the sunlight reaching the ground. If your hydrangea has bloomed well in previous years and not this year, you should check how much sun it is getting. You should ensure that the plant gets about three hours of sun, preferably in the morning, and that it is protected from the afternoon sun.
On the other hand, too much sun can also be a problem. A plant that gets more sun than it would like will become stressed, and a stressed plant may decide to skip flowering to conserve energy. Check in the afternoon to see if the plants look wilted. If the leaves are scorched, it is a sure sign that thePlant not in the right placePlace is available. Look for yellowing and browning on the edges and tips of the leaves. If you've just planted a new plant and don't see any flowers in the first year or two, don't worry. New plants tend to spend their energy establishing roots and developing healthy foliage before attempting to produce flowers.
Diseases in hydrangeas
There areDiseases and peststhat can affect hydrangeas. A fungal attack on hydrangeas can affect the flowers. If your hydrangeas become infected, you have several natural options, including compost tea, garlic oil, or liquid seaweed, to combat the fungus. If your hydrangea is affected by powdery mildew, a homemade solution of 2 to 3 drops of dish soap that does not contain strong fragrances or bleach, 1/2 tablespoon of baking soda and 2 liters of water is the solution as this will change the pH balance and prevent the mildew Spread and formation of mildew. Spray the foliage liberally with the solution to organically control the fungus.
