Forsythia is one of the most popular ornamental shrubs, planted in gardens and parks. It delights in early spring, when it blooms profusely with yellow flowers, even before other shrubs. Unfortunately, it happens thatforsythia does not bloomWhat could be the reason? Learn5 of the most common reasons why Forsythia doesn't bloomFind outwhat to do to make forsythia bloom more beautifully and more luxuriantly !
Why don't forsythia sometimes bloom?
1. Forsythia does not bloom due to bad pruning date
Lack of flowers in Forsythiamost often results from a basic care mistake, namelyincorrect cutting date Forsythia sets flower buds on annuals in the fall. Therefore, the forsythia bushes should not be trimmed in late summer or early spring.Trim the forsythia immediately after flowering.Failure to do so also adversely affects the development of flower buds in forsythia. Pruning stimulates the bush to produce young shoots, thanks to which the forsythia blooms more abundantly. If the cutting procedure is omitted, the growth of young shoots on the bush will be few, and thus fewer flowers will develop on the bush in spring.
2. Forsythia does not bloom because it has too little light
Forsythias are plants that require a sunny position. Therefore, they should be planted in a place where there will be no shade for most of the day.Lack of the right amount of light means that Forsythia has fewer flower buds, flowers are finer, and flowering time is shorterIf forsythia grows in a shaded place, it is best to replant it to a sunnier point in the garden where the sun will be in abundance.
3. Forsythia does not bloom due to drought
Forsythia are shrubs that do well in virtually any substrate. However, due to the shallow root system, they are very sensitive to water shortages in the substrate. Such situations occur most often on light, sandy soils. Forsythia reacts to drought with wilting of leaves and young shoots.Dried bushes in summer lose their ability to form flower buds , which is a consequence of damaging young shoots.
On sandy soils, forsythia requires mulching with garden bark or black fleece to reduce water evaporation from the soil. In hot summers, young bushes require irrigation, especially in light soils.
4. Forsythia does not bloom because it is frozen
The most beautifully flowering forsythia varieties (Forsythia x intermedia) are unfortunately not completely frost resistant. It happens thatspring frosts damage waking flower buds No flowers will develop from frost-damaged buds in a given year. Only Korean Forsythia (Forsythia ovata) shrubs are completely resistant to frost. However, this species has lower decorative values. There are hybrids of Korean forsythia with intermediate forsythia, which are frost-resistant and bloom profusely.
Cut frozen forsythia twigs to the point where live (green) tissue appears. In autumn, it is worth protecting the forsythia bushes against winter, using agrotextile or straw. In late summer, the bushes should be supplemented with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, and in the case of dry autumn, the bushes should be properly irrigated.
5. Forsythia does not bloom due to lack of fertilization
Although Forsythia is not a shrub that requires abundant fertilization, it is worth feeding it from time to time. If, during planting, we put compost, fertile humus soil into the hole, or we fertilize the soil with peat, then the first fertilization of forsythia should be made after 3-4 years. A signal that will suggest the need to feed Forsythia will be weaker shoot growth and flowering , despite proper care. Forsythia is fertilized in spring (March-April) and late summer (not later than the end of August). In spring it is best to apply a multi-component fertilizer for flowering shrubs. In August, autumn fertilizers (potassium-phosphorus) should be used, which will stimulate the shrub to form flower buds and prepare the plant for winter.
MSc Eng. Agnieszka Lach
