Why doesn't hydrangea bloom?

Situations arise that the garden hydrangea does not bloom. The thing is that this flower is quite demanding about its care. Even if you make a small mistake, it can be fraught with the fact that the buds will begin to wither and fall off. In some cases, it may not appear at all. In order for your plant to delight you with its beautiful flowering for a long period of time, you need to know what can influence its flowering. This will help to quickly solve the problems that may arise as a result of growing this type of plant.

Reasons why hydrangea does not bloom

Hydrangea tree: Photo of the Annabelle variety

There are often times when gardeners' mistakes can lead to the fact that the hydrangea may not bloom. The reasons can be different:

• If there were mistakes in preparation for the winter period.
• The plant was not pruned correctly.
• Incorrect fertilization.

Problems may arise that are associated with the development of the root system of the plant. This can negatively affect the development of the plant, which will lead to a lack of flowering. Let's dwell on the reasons for the lack of flowering in a little more detail.

Improper preparation for the winter period

Hydrangea does not tolerate frost well. If the air temperature drops below zero degrees, the flower buds may freeze. And this will lead to the fact that the plant simply cannot bloom. Therefore, in order to protect the plant, it is required to cover it for the winter.

Before the first autumn frosts come, it is necessary to cut off all the foliage from the tree, cover the branches with a tourniquet and wrap them with a special covering material. The bush must be bent to the ground and covered using spruce branches.

With the onset of spring, the plant must be gradually freed from spruce branches. It is possible to completely remove the spruce branches only in the absence of frost, as well as when the weather is already warm.

Incorrect cropping

In order for the plant to bloom beautifully, it is necessary to properly prune the bush. With the onset of spring, it is necessary to remove all dry branches damaged during the winter period. Strong shoots left over from last year do not need to be touched. Most often, the flowering of the plant begins at the tops of such shoots. If you cut them too, then there is a risk of leaving the plant without flowering.

Fertilization errors

Hydrangea does not tolerate a large amount of fertilizer in the soil. In summer and autumn, it is not recommended to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen. Such fertilizers affect the growth of foliage, which can negatively affect the flowering process. And if you introduce top dressing in the fall, then the shoots begin to grow rapidly. And they simply may not have time to ripen by the time of the onset of cold weather and freeze.

It is best to apply fertilizer several times during the season. At the end of the spring period, it is allowed to apply fertilizers containing nitrogen to improve the growing season. In summer, it is best to apply fertilizers containing potassium and phosphorus in order to stimulate and support the flowering process. With the onset of September, it is necessary to again apply fertilizers that contain potassium and phosphorus in order to strengthen the shoots and prepare them for the winter period.

Problems associated with root development and flowering

For a plant to bloom correctly, it is necessary that its root system is in perfect order. If the root system is weak, then there is no need to wait for a beautiful and abundant flowering.If the bush is still too young and a large amount of fertilizer has been applied, then the formation of the root system can occur over several years. Only after that you can see the flowering of your plant.

If you plant the plant correctly and take proper care of it, then you won't have to worry about flowering. The following factors can influence the flowering process:

• Lack of watering.
• High air temperatures.
• Deficiency or excess of sunlight.
• Heavy clay soil.

Why don't individual varieties of hydrangea bloom?

Depending on the variety, there may be various reasons for the lack of flowering. The most popular varieties of garden hydrangea are: Panicle Hydrangea, Arboreal Hydrangea and Large-leaved Hydrangea. Let's dwell on each variety in more detail, which may be the reason for the lack of flowering.

Why does the panicle hydrangea not bloom?

Hydrangea paniculata: Photo of the Grandiflora variety

This type of hydrangea is one of the most frost-resistant. Due to this property, it does not need to be covered for the winter. The buds do not freeze due to the fact that flowering buds are formed on the shoots of the current year. Therefore, this type of hydrangea may not bloom for other reasons.

Most often, the problem lies in the improper composition of the soil. This type is suitable for heavy loamy soil, which has a weak acidity. Light sandy soil is not acceptable for this species. Also, the reason for not blooming lies in poor nutrition. For this reason, watch out for fertilization.

Large-leaved hydrangea does not bloom

The reasons for not flowering this species most often lie in the fact that the shoots and buds are frozen over. The varieties of this variety can differ in the degree of resistance to frost. There are some species that do well in the winter months without shelter. And there are those who, even if covered, will still freeze a little. These variations are best grown at home in pots.

Pruning of this variety should be done with extreme caution. Flower formation occurs on last year's shoots. Therefore, they cannot be pruned. Even if you shorten them, it will lead to the fact that you will cut off the flowering buds, and, therefore, the plant will not be able to bloom.

Tree hydrangea

This variety also has a fairly good frost resistance. But still, he needs shelter for the winter period in order to avoid freezing of the kidneys. Otherwise, there is no need to wait for the plant to bloom in the summer. Therefore, for the winter period, consider a shelter for this variety.

This variety needs regular feeding. Fertilizers should be applied first to improve leaf growth, then fertilizers to improve flowering. If you do not do this, then you should not wait for flowering. Also, among the reasons for the refusal of flowering of this variety, improper watering can be distinguished. If the soil is dry and the weather is hot, the plant will slow down its growth and refuse to bloom.

Why hasn't the hydrangea been blooming in the garden for several years now?

A situation may arise that the plant had abundant flowering every year, and then suddenly stopped blooming for several years. What can cause this phenomenon?

If you covered the plant for the winter, carried out proper care and fertilization, then various pests or diseases can become the reason for stopping flowering.

If the plant is sick or has been attacked by insects, then it will definitely not be able to bloom. Among the pests that can be found on hydrangeas, aphids, spider mites, weevils and other pests can be distinguished.

To get rid of this scourge, it is necessary to treat the bush with insecticides. Most often among the diseases there is a mosaic disease of a viral nature, as well as fungal diseases, such as gray rot and downy mildew.

To get rid of these diseases, it is necessary to carry out treatment with fungicidal preparations. If the cause was a viral infection, then all affected parts of the plant must be cut off and burned.

Correct fertilization

As we said earlier, the reason that the hydrangea does not bloom may be due to improper fertilization. In order for the plant to grow and develop quickly and correctly, it is necessary to apply fertilizers correctly. Top dressing will differ depending on the season when it will be applied.

• Fertilizing in early spring... This is the moment of active development and growth of the green part of the plant. Therefore, the plant needs fertilizers containing nitrogen. It is good to use a mixture of urea and potassium sulfate. 1 tbsp. l. substances must be diluted in 10 liters of water. An adult plant needs 5 liters of such a ready-made solution. It is also possible to use slurry, which must also be diluted with water (1:10).
• The end of spring. This period is characterized by the laying of buds. It is necessary to apply potassium-phosphorus fertilizer. Superphosphate has the best results. 1 tbsp. l. the drug must be diluted in 10 liters of water. You can also use any mineral complex fertilizer.
• Summer period - active flowering period. Fertilizers need to be applied 2-3 times, using special fertilizers for flowering crops. In addition, you can slightly acidify the area of ​​the soil where the plant grows. To do this, you can use milk whey or citric acid. The serum must be diluted in water (1: 3). Citric acid must be diluted in 10 liters of water, taking everything at the tip of a knife.
• Beginning of autumn... To prepare the plant for the winter period and strengthen the shoots, it is necessary to add potassium-phosphorus fertilizing. 1 tbsp. l. potassium sulfate and phosphorus must be diluted in 10 liters of water. This solution is used to water the plants.

We have analyzed the reasons not for the flowering of a plant in garden conditions, but what to do if the hydrangea grows in your home and does not bloom. Consider this situation as well.

Reasons why hydrangea does not bloom at home

Large-leaved hydrangea: Photo of the Hydrangea variety

If the hydrangea does not bloom at home, then this may be due to various reasons:

• Incorrect lighting.
• The composition of the soil is not suitable.
• Moisture deficiency both in the soil and in the air.
• Fluctuations in temperatures.
• Plant age.

If you want the plant to bloom in your home every year, be sure to pay attention to the lighting. But at the same time, the plant should not be located in direct sunlight. If the plant experiences a lack or excess of lighting, then you may not wait for flowering.

Acidified soil is suitable for the plant. In this case, the soil should not be too heavy. Do not use clay soil. It is best to use a commercial, fertile soil mixture that does not contain clay, but with a small content of peat.

It is also better to transplant the plant into new soil annually so that the plant blooms for a long time and abundantly. The plant does not tolerate dry air and soil. Therefore, the soil in the pot must be moist. And it is also necessary to spray the leaves.

Make sure that there are no sudden changes in temperature in the room. Otherwise, the plant will not be able to grow buds. If the buds appeared, but there was a jump in temperature in one direction or another, then the buds may fall off.

It is recommended to renew the hydrangea every 4-5 years. Because, even with constant and good care, the plant finishes the flowering process. Therefore, after 4-5 years, it is best to buy a new hydrangea, which will delight you with its beautiful flowering.