Find Your Ask the Expert: Camelias and hydrangeas don’t bloom
All the plants are 2 years old. They all look very healthy. They received fertilizer in the spring (10-10-10)and this summer I was able to give home made compost to all of them. We live in the North Georgia mountains, have clay soil, and they all receive only part sun/or shade. When I planted them 2 years ago I mixed in a mixture of mushroom compost or cow manure compost with planting soil. What am I doing wrong? Thank you so much for your help. Inge
Why No Blooms on Camellias and Hydrangeas?
November 5, 2008 by
Inge,
Let’s start with the Camellias. The blooms on camellias are very sensitive to the cold. In fact cold winds and late frost will damage the bloom buds causing them to drop. Dry weather can also cause the bud to drop prematurely. So an evenly moist soil is a must. Harsh pruning can also inhibit blooming. Deep shade may also inhibit blooming. Make sure your plant gets bright filtered light or mid day sun. Over-fertilization can be a problem. Don’t fertilize your plants the first growing season. When do fertilize try using a light dose of superphosphate. Phosphate is the nutrient needed for blooming. It is important not to fertilize camellias in the fall.
As for the hydrangeas, pruning usually plays a large part in blooming. Certain types of hydrangea will not bloom if pruned incorrectly or at the wrong time; because they bloom on what is called old wood. The best time to prune hydrangeas is right after they have finished their blooming cycle. Like the camellias, cold harsh winds will cause damage to hydrangea bloom buds and so will dry soil. Keep your hydrangea moist but not soggy. A major factor when hydrangeas don’t bloom is over fertilization. Hydrangeas tend to bloom when they are “stressed”. So too much fertilizer will keep them from blooming.
With both of these plants I would hold back on adding any more fertilizer or compost. Keep the soil moist but not soggy. If there is any way to protect them from colds winds, do so. Then hope for the best. Good luck and keep me posted.
We own 2 cabin rentals in the North Georgia Mountains. At one of our cabins, I planted 2 Hydrangeas also about 2 years ago. They bloomed the first year and I was very surprised. This year they did not. They are in clay dirt and I am not around to fertilize and make sure they are watered. I will be living in our cabin in April 2009, and can take better care of them then. What can I do at that time to help them to bloom at the appropriate time? I love hydrangeas and want to see them healthy. They are in a patch with my Forcythias and Iris’s.
Thank you, Marian, http://www.cabinsplusmore.com
I have had two camellias planted at the entry of the home. I purchased them ten years ago with blooms on them. I originally planted in a full sun area, eastern side, and they cooked. So I moved them to under the eave area of the house, northern side, where they only get bright light. Still nothing. They were growing new leaves, but not blooming. I had some left over Miracle Grow for Roses and tossed half a bag on the roots this summer. Amazingly this year I have new buds, 9 so far. I am so excited.
Two words: bone meal. Apply in August and September. Don’t be shy about amounts.
Our Camilla’s are very old 30+ yrs beautiful green but only get blooms on the bottom. What to fo