Hydrangea is a beautiful shrub that requires special care. The slightest flaws lead to impaired growth and lack of inflorescences. To understand why hydrangea does not bloom, you should study the possible problems and features of growing various varieties.
When and how should hydrangea bloom
Landscape designers and garden owners seek to plant decorative plants so that their flowering is continuous. A correctly selected hydrangea variety will provide bright flowering for the entire season.
When hydrangea does not bloom
Note! Hydrangea practically does not smell (and therefore does not attract bees and other insects). Bushes are often planted on entrance groups (near windows).
Early species begin to bloom in early summer, and the process ends in September (for most varieties). In a temperate climate, the large-leaved shrub develops steadily until the first frost. There are exceptions:
- Hydrangea macrophylla Hornly, Pinky Winky - blooms from August to September;
- Messalina, Green Racer - from June to July;
- Phantom - from June to October.
Outdoor Hydrangea
The average flowering period of other varieties is from July to October. If you think about planting in advance, combining individual varieties of hydrangea, a plant can delight you with bright colors for a whole season. A special case is indoor hydrangea, the growth and development of which takes place at home. Usually these are undersized species.
Additional Information! Flowering depends not only on species nuances, but also on the acidity of the soil. It is important to regularly transplant the flower into fresh soil.
Home earth oxidizing agents are coffee grounds, used tea leaves, a solution of lemon juice (or purchased citric acid). Purchased seedlings bloom later. They need more time to adapt to open areas.
Why garden hydrangea does not bloom, and only leaves grow
To understand why hydrangea does not bloom, but gives only foliage, it is necessary to analyze several aspects: the place and method of planting, the quality of irrigation and fertilizer added. Common mistakes gardeners:
- lack of preparations for winter or violation of general requirements;
- incorrect pruning of branches;
- mistakes in seasonal care.
Some of these shortcomings can be eliminated and the flower saved, others lead to the death of stems and death of the bush.
Frozen kidney
Unforeseen spring frosts harm decorative crops. If a young plant experiences seasonal temperature changes, there will be no flowering. The only solution is to insulate the bush:
- mulch the soil with sawdust, peat;
- build a "house" of branches (for small bushes);
- cover with a box and non-woven material (often used for indoor plants);
- next spring hydrangea is pritenenyut, provide good complementary foods.
Attention! Dead buds, leaves, branches are cut. Secateurs should be sharp, treated with a disinfectant. Trimming is carried out at an angle. Hemp is treated with a special tool.
Irrigation irregularities
Hydrangea loves plentiful watering - in a week 20-30 liters (every 3-4 days) are spent on one bush. If the summer is hot and dry, the frequency of watering is increased. Humidification is carried out every day or every other day. Additionally spray the leaves with a spray bottle. Mulching helps to retain moisture in the soil.
If the soil at the landing site is clayey, the water stagnates. In this case, drainage is formed. Loosening the earth will not give the usual result due to the high sensitivity of the roots. They spud no deeper than 10 cm.
Watering is an essential part of hydrangea care
Incorrect landing site
Place for landing is chosen in advance (before purchase). Hydrangea, regardless of variety, loves good lighting, but does not accept direct sunlight. Small penumbra is acceptable. The best option would be a place near the fence or walls.
Note! Do not plant hydrangea next to tall strong trees. They create excessive shading and deprive the bush of moisture.
In open areas, the decorative culture will not bloom for long. Large-leaved varieties are planted only in the shade. In addition to lighting, the strength and direction of the wind are taken into account. Hydrangea does not like strong impulses from the northern and eastern directions - they weaken and break the stems.
Excess or lack of nutrients
Mineral fertilizers are necessary for every decorative plant. Lack of nutrients, as well as excess, leads to poor growth, lethargy, lack of flowering, disease.
Additional Information! Nitrogen fertilization is especially harmful in the second half of summer and autumn. The substance accelerates vegetative processes. At the same time, hydrangea does not have time to prepare for wintering, then dies.
Nitrogen compounds are introduced only in the spring. In summer and autumn, the mixture should contain mainly phosphorus and potash fertilizers. They activate the ovary, which contributes to the development of inflorescences.
Fertilizer is carried out in the fall
Regardless of the purpose of feeding, it is important to follow the recommendations for use, which are indicated on the package. Highlights:
- the first spring root supplement should consist mainly of nitrogen components with the addition of potassium, phosphorus and other minerals;
- fertilizers are dissolved in clean water, the usual dosage is 10 liters per 1 sq. km. m of soil;
- the second top dressing is introduced during the formation of buds - potassium plus phosphorus, nitrogen is permissible in a small amount (so as not to create an element deficiency);
- the third stage - flowering time, potash-phosphorus feeding;
- the fourth - autumn, at the end of flowering, nitrogen-free mixtures with potassium and phosphorus.
You can use special ready-made compositions for hydrangeas (selected by variety and stage of growth).
Incorrect shrub pruning
Pruning is a mandatory step in the process of caring for tree hydrangea. It is impossible to get beautifully growing inflorescences on randomly arranged stems. There are varieties that do not need autumn pruning. Gardeners often remove stems with flower buds. Such a flower will not bloom next year.
Some species grow rapidly, most of the branches go inside the bush. If you do not thin out, the inflorescences will not be able to develop normally, they will be small and nondescript. Every 5 years they do anti-aging pruning - buds do not appear on old branches.
Defeat by disease or pest
Hydrangea is practically immune to disease. The lack of aroma does not attract bees. Pest insects rarely appear on bushes. Most often, chlorosis appears on the leaves of the shrub - the green color disappears, the leaves become pale, dirty yellow, spotty, quickly fall off. Inflorescences become small or not formed at all. The bushes are treated with a solution of iron sulfate (including those on which the disease has not yet manifested). Fungal infections are removed with the help of Bordeaux solution, copper sulfate.
Diseases do not often bother tree hydrangea
Hydrangea pests include slugs, spider mites and aphids. If the shrub is strong, the spread of insects will not occur. In most cases, young petiole plants or weakened after illness are affected.
Note! Excessive pruning can weaken the bush. If you need to remove a significant number of stems, the procedure is carried out in several stages.
Planting an already blooming hydrangea seedling
Hydrangeas do not tolerate a transplant. The adaptation period can drag on for the whole season, therefore, the existing inflorescences will fall off, and new ones will not appear. Difficulties arise for the following reasons:
- search or lack of fertilizers at the stage of growing seedlings;
- moving a flower from acidic soil to slightly acidic or alkaline;
- if the bush has a closed root system (growing in a pot), the earthen lump is not removed.
It is important to transplant the seedling correctly, to achieve optimal microclimate parameters. It is necessary to make a landing pit in advance, to provide shade.
Weak root system
The problem arises from transplantation, lack of nutrients, improper care or proximity. Define the problem by lightly sipping the bush - weak roots will quickly separate from the soil, tear, break. To correct the situation, it is necessary to find out the cause of the weakening of the root system, add fertilizers relevant to the current stage of growth, mulch the soil.
Causes of lack of flowering in some varieties of hydrangea
Hydrangea varieties differ not only in external characteristics, but also in the features of care. For example, some bloom well in the shade, while others bloom poorly. This applies to the three main groups.
Panicle
Hydrangea resistant to low temperatures (if there are no excessive frosts, wintering without shelter is allowed). Most often, it does not bloom due to inappropriate soil:
- sandy soil - unacceptable for all types of plants;
- clay - gaining moisture, which leads to stagnation (additional drainage is needed);
- loamy acidic - the best option.
Note! If there is not enough fertilizer, provide additional recharge.
Large leaf
A common problem with large-leaved hydrangea is freezing of the kidneys. It is important to warm plants for the winter. Pruning of broadleaf crops is carried out carefully, regularly, cutting branches at a slight angle. You can not remove the stems formed on last year's processes - it is on them that the kidneys are tied.
Tree-like
This group of plants is unstable to frost, requires careful shelter. Sometimes inflorescences grow colorless, which means a lack of nutrition. Fertilizers begin to be applied from the moment the first green leaves appear and continue throughout the season. The reason for the lack of flowering is insufficient watering.
Tree species
Pink
Pink hydrangea is extremely popular in Russia. There are tree and panicle types. The lack of flowers depends on the variety of pink shrubs. If the plant changes color to blue or white, then the acidity of the soil has changed.
Why indoor hydrangea does not bloom
Indoor varieties are considered unpretentious, bloom lushly and brightly. There are several reasons for the lack of inflorescences:
- change of location - for example, after a purchase, the flower moves from the store to the apartment, the lighting, humidity changes, the plant experiences stress, drops buds;
- lack of transplantation - purchased seedlings are usually grown in extract mixtures, and not in full-fledged nutrient soil; such a flower needs a transplant, providing plentiful watering and top dressing;
- being in the same pot for more than two years - the root system grows, the absorption of nutrients and water worsens;
- excess nitrogen fertilizers (the best option is special mixtures for hydrangeas).
On a note! Indoor varieties do not tolerate direct sunlight (especially unprepared seedlings) and excessive shade. You can put a flower pot on the windowsill, but shade the window with a curtain.
How to make a shrub blossom
In autumn, plants are prepared for wintering. If hydrangea does not bloom during the season, dense shelter is required. Main stages:
- loosening, sheltering mulch (use crumb from wood bark);
- the addition of nitrogen-free fertilizers (powder with humus or compost);
- for varieties resistant to frost, form special shelters from branches, cover with waterproof fabric (in the Urals and Siberia).
If a hydrangea variety tolerates low temperatures, it is better not to transplant the plants into pots - the shrub does not adapt well to a new place.
Varieties with low frost resistance cover for the winter
Timely trimming
Pruning is carried out in spring and autumn. The secateurs are ground, treated with a disinfecting solution.
Selection of suitable fertilizers and fertilizers
They nourish plants from spring to winter. The compositions are mixed manually or use ready-made. Long-acting mixtures are applied once - in early spring. Fertilizers will slowly penetrate the soil and feed the plants during the season.
Change in soil acidity
Soil acidity is a determining factor for hydrangeas. The shrub reacts to any long-term changes (the color of the inflorescences changes, with sharp jumps the bushes cease to bloom, weaken). Experienced gardeners use special equipment to measure the acidity and amount of minerals in the soil.
Fighting diseases or pests that interfere with flowering
Hydrangeas of all types are resistant to diseases and pests. A strong plant inhibits the development of harmful insects. Bushes are treated for prevention. In extreme cases, gardening agents are used (copper sulfate, Bordeaux liquid, and others).
Every gardener should know what to do if panicle hydrangea does not bloom. Problems will not appear if you choose the right plant variety, prepare the planting site and ensure proper care.
