Re: Wisterias that won't bloom....
- To: Mediterannean Plants List
- Subject: Re: Wisterias that won't bloom....
- From: T* &* M* R*
- Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000 09:38:03 +1200
- References: <c3.3763139.2613ab24@aol.com>
Mclainakag@aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 3/28/00 9:23:46 PM Central Standard Time,
> Ccopuntia@aol.com writes:
>
> << So I was wondering what the experience
> of those in the group might be -- similar problems with wisteria? Is age a
> factor? Feeding? Any tips would be most appreciated! >>
>
> I do believe age is a factor in a wisteria blooming but since these were
> already forced into bloom when they purchased them it could mean that the
> plants need to recover from the "forcing"....I know that azalea's forced into
> bloom my not bloom the following year.
I don't think nurserymen always deliberately force plants into bloom to
make them more saleable, but it seems to be a common experience here,
particularly with some Camellias and Rhododendrons that the stress
caused simply by restriction of the roots in planter bags will trigger
precocious blooming. When the plants are taken home and planted out they
go into a mad frenzy of growth, both roots and shoots, which may not
allow them enough energy to form flower buds again for one to several
years.
As Kemberly has suggested, some form of new stress may throw them back
into the flowering mode once more. Flowering (with the intention of
setting seed) is a standard method of self-preservation for plants which
seem to sense stress may be a prelude to some life-threatening disaster.
Light feeding with both phosphate and potassium can help to put plants
in the mode to flower, but additional nitrogen (which encourages
vegetative growth must be avoided).
Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan <theryans@xtra.co.nz>
Wainuiomata, New Zealand. (on the "Ring of Fire" in the SW Pacific).
Lat. 41:16S Long. 174:58E. Climate: Mediterranean/Temperate
