Re: TB: rebloom questions

I live in Zone 5b almost directly south of you in Ohio.

>   Zone 5 and further south have reblooms annually.

Yes and no. There are very few CONSISTENT rebloomers in this area. To name a few,

LITTLE SHOWOFF  sdb
JEWEL BABY  sdb
WIZARD'S RETURN sdb

LADY EMMA  ib

REINCARNATION
FEEDBACK
QUEEN DOROTHY
HARVEST OF MEMORIES
CORAL CHARMER
SUGAR BLUES
WRIGHT FLYER   all TB

Now before I have to don my asbestos suit for protection from the hardcore rebloom
lovers, these are the ones commonly listed as rebloomers that I have had
experience with that will bloom in the fall 3 years out of 4....not every 4th year
or just "it rebloomed for me one time about a decade ago". I am sure there are
others. Consistency is the key word. I have grown VICTORIA FALLS for nearly 20
years. It is reported to rebloom, but has done so here only once. The ones I
listed have done so nearly every season.

>   I don't think the temperature conditions are too cold to get a rebloomer or
two here.

While hardiness zones are correlated to lowest average temperature, it does not
always reflect length of growing season. I believe rebloom is really linked to
length of growing season and weather conditions between first bloom and subsequent
fall bloom formation. It is often quoted that rebloom requires consistent rainfall
throughout the growing season, at least an inch a week. I will never know unless
mother nature cooperates, since I do not grow with the intent to have fall bloom.
The ones I listed have rebloomed after very arid summers with a minimal amount of
rain. Some years they throw September stalks, others in October or November.
Sometimes they manage to bloom, other years they are frozen before the first bud
opens. I have also seen it suggested that rebloomers need to be fertilized more
heavily to support the additional growth. I can't back this up with hard data, but
when we have a lot of overcast summer days we seem to have far less
rebloom.....maybe not enough sunlight to produce blooms?

>   Any suggestions for rebloomers to look through in catalogs, etc, that may
rebloom in my area? I don't have any particular color choices, I enjoy most of the
varieties I've seen.

Maybe try the above varieties, or consult the reblooming checklist to find
varieties from your state and the months rebloom has been reported in.

Good luck!

John Bruce
Zone 5b, Go Bucks!

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