Plant Problems

POOR FLOWERING:

This can be a number of reasons such as a young plant, dry conditions, poor feeding or too much shade. All plants can take a year to settle into a new garden, but some of our choice varieties are not stocked by Garden Centres because they do not flower at a young age. In these circumstances, patience is a virtue! For instance the Loderi varieties can take up to six years to flower, and many of the rare big leaves species may need to be about 2 metres high before they show their first bloom. In most cases, the number one reason for lack of flower is due to lack of water. Many Rhododendrons originate from monsoon areas and are used to really moist conditions during June. This is when the flower buds are initiated for the following spring. By ensuring that your plants are moist in June, you are more likely to initiate flower buds rather than growth buds. Correct feeding is also important, see below. Some feeds are high in Nitrogen which gives plenty of growth, but no flower. If you have fed and watered your plants well and still have no flowers, then try giving extra Potash and Superphosphate during the summer to encourage flowering.

If the flower buds formed, but turned brown during the winter, they will have been frosted. If they have turned black, and are covered with spikey black fungal growths, they are suffering from bud blast.

Finally, if your plant is in too deep shade, then flowering is likely to be sparse. Either thin the overhead trees, or try moving your Rhododendron in the autumn to a sunnier spot.