Reasons Why Geraniums Do Not Bloom and How to Fix Them
Geranium
Geranium, also known as zonal pelargonium, has flowers as its most striking feature; under suitable conditions the blooms can form ball shapes, and apart from the summer dormancy period it can flower continuously, but for flower growers with little experience this is not so easy to achieve. Below is an article compiled by the editor about the reasons why geraniums do not bloom and how to make them flower normally; beginner growers can read it and learn.
Before looking at the analysis of why geraniums do not bloom, growers should know the flowering period of geraniums. Generally speaking, the flowering period of geraniums is around April to July each year; of course, individual varieties and different regions will have differences in flowering period, and it can also be said broadly that the flowering period of geraniums is mainly in spring, autumn, and winter in certain regions.
I. Reasons why geraniums do not bloom
The reasons why geraniums do not bloom include insufficient light given; geraniums require plenty of sunlight, and sometimes flower buds or growth points are shaded by leaves, which can also lead to no flowering or few flowers. Next is the problem of watering; irregular watering, too little or too much water, can both cause no flowering. Then there is a lack of fertilizer; generally speaking, potted flowering plants all need fertilizer, so appropriate topdressing should be given. Finally there is pruning; in autumn the mother plant should be heavily pruned to about 10 cm high, which will bring vigorous flowering momentum for the coming year. If you want it to bloom indoors in winter, then the repeated pruning can be moved to spring, giving it a little breathing room in spring.
II. Other factors affecting geranium flowering
1. Too much watering or exposure to rain, with long-term water accumulation in the pot, causes root rot, yellow leaf edges, or leggy plant growth, all of which affect flowering.
2. Excessive fertilization, especially excessive nitrogen fertilizer, easily causes leggy branches and leaves, no flowering or sparse flowering, and poor flower quality. But insufficient fertilization or no fertilization will also affect normal plant growth and flowering. Therefore, in early spring or early autumn, appropriately more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer should be applied.
3. Temperature too high or too low: if the indoor temperature in winter is above 20°C, plus poor ventilation, branches and leaves easily become leggy, affecting flowering the following year; but if the overwintering temperature is below 0°C, it is prone to cold damage, with leaf edges turning yellow and becoming soft. Geraniums are also relatively sensitive to temperature differences; if these change sharply, it will cause flowers to drop.
4. Light too strong: in summer, when exposed to direct sunlight, leaf edges are prone to sunscald, growth is poor, or flowers and leaves drop.
5. Pinching and pruning too heavily, with very few leaves for a long time, will also delay the growth period and result in fewer flower buds and fewer blooms. In addition, when cared for indoors in winter and spring, if light is insufficient for a long time, the plant easily becomes leggy and does not bloom, and even already formed flower buds will shrink and dry up due to insufficient light. Therefore, in winter, care should be taken to provide relatively sufficient light.
Geranium
III. Methods to make geraniums bloom normally
Geraniums belong to sun-loving plants, so they need sufficient sunlight all year round and cannot be displayed indoors for long periods; it is best to grow them on a balcony. But in summer they also dislike intense heat and high temperatures; when the temperature exceeds 35°C, they enter a semi-dormant state and stop growing and flowering.
Therefore, after summer begins, move the flowerpot to a cool, ventilated place or a north-facing windowsill or balcony, and at the same time spray water frequently to lower the temperature, reduce watering, and stop fertilizing to prevent root rot. Spring and autumn are the peak seasons for geranium growth and flowering. Strengthen fertilizer and water management; generally apply a dilute liquid fertilizer combining nitrogen and phosphorus once every 10 days. Usually water just enough to keep the potting soil often moist, and never allow water to accumulate in the pot. Otherwise it will lead to root rot and even plant death.
To keep geraniums blooming continuously, in addition to meeting the above conditions, they should also be pruned continually. The indoor temperature in winter must not be lower than 15°C, and sufficient light is needed. After each flowering, promptly cut off the remaining flower stalks and overly dense or long branches to encourage new branches or side branches to sprout, so that more buds form and more flowers bloom. For taller old branches or leggy branches, carry out heavy pruning from the root upward at more than 10 cm, so that the newly grown branches will be stronger and more vigorous, bloom easily, and the flowers will also be more brilliant. Treatment with dwarfing agents such as B9, chlormequat, and paclobutrazol can make the plant compact and strong with large, brightly colored flowers.
Geraniums grow relatively fast, so it is suitable to change the pot and soil once a year or every other year after the Start of Autumn, and apply base fertilizer, especially phosphorus fertilizer; otherwise, if the potting soil lacks nutrients or its texture deteriorates, it will also affect normal plant growth and flowering.
Analyze the causes and do the above points well, and you need not worry about geraniums not blooming. It is worth noting that no matter which season you water geraniums, it is not suitable to use tap water directly; it is recommended to fill a basin with tap water and let it sit in the sun for a day before use.
What to do if geraniums do not bloom
The reasons why geraniums do not bloom include:
① Insufficient light. Geraniums require plenty of sunlight, with more than 10 hours of sunshine per day.
② Too much fertilizer. During the vigorous growth period, apply thin fertilizer once every half month, and by all means avoid indiscriminately applying heavy oil residue fertilizer and the like.
③ Not paying attention to pruning. Especially in autumn, the mother plant should be heavily pruned to about 10 cm high, to bring vigorous flowering momentum for the coming year; if you want it to bloom indoors in winter, then the repeated pruning can be moved to spring, giving it a little breathing room in spring. Once normal fertilizer and water management resumes from early summer, then from late summer to early winter it will again have brilliant leaves and beautiful flowers.
What to do if geraniums do not bloom?
Image: Geranium
[Common question] What to do if geraniums do not bloom?
[Expert answer] The main reasons why geraniums do not bloom are:
① Insufficient light.Geraniums require plenty of sunlight, with more than 10 hours of light.
② Too much fertilizer.During the vigorous growth period, apply thin fertilizer once every half month, and by all means avoid indiscriminately applying heavy oil residue fertilizer and the like.
③ Not paying attention to pruning.Especially in autumn, the mother plant should be heavily pruned to about 10 cm high, which brings vigorous flowering momentum for the coming year; if you want it to bloom indoors in winter, then the repeated pruning can be moved to spring, giving it a little breathing room in spring. Once normal fertilizer and water management resumes from early summer, then from late summer to early winter it will again have brilliant leaves and beautiful flowers.
[Editor's comment] Geranium is a romantic flower symbolizing love, representing the most beautiful memories between couples and spouses. Many people grow it in pots to admire, but sometimes an accident occurs, such as growing it for a long time without flowering. So what exactly causes this? The editor of First Agricultural Economy above introduced the reasons why geraniums do not bloom, and hopes it is helpful to you.