Why doesn't the plum blossom bloom? How can it bloom every year? How should it be managed during the flowering period?

The plum blossom braves the snow and frost, and has been a beloved flower since ancient times; some people even go out in snowy weather to tread the snow in search of plum blossoms. But if the plum blossom is not grown well, it may fail to bloom. Why doesn't the plum blossom bloom? How can it bloom every year? How should it be managed during the flowering period?

1. Why doesn't the plum blossom bloom?

There are two main reasons why the plum blossom fails to bloom: first, the new shoots stop growing too late, which affects flower bud differentiation. Second, the leaves fall too early, which reduces the accumulation of nutrients. You must find out which specific cause it is in order to treat the problem correctly.

2. How can it bloom every year?

1. Choose a planting site with plenty of sunlight and good drainage.

2. Fertilize reasonably. Nitrogen fertilizer should not be applied in excess. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied together. Applying fertilizer once at the time of physiological flower bud differentiation is more effective than applying it in several split applications at other times.

3. In early May, if the new shoots have not yet stopped growing, pinch the tips of the new shoots until they wilt, artificially controlling the growth of the new shoots and forcing flower bud differentiation.

4. Moderately controlling water for a short period before physiological flower bud differentiation is beneficial for the accumulation of photosynthesis and for flower bud differentiation.

5. Water sprouts, summer shoots and autumn shoots do not readily bloom; in order to reduce the consumption of nutrients, they should all be pruned off.

6. Fertilize and water reasonably, delay leaf fall, and enhance the function of the leaves, so as to promote flower bud differentiation.

3. How should the plum blossom be managed?

1. Light and temperature

It likes warmth and plenty of light. Apart from the apricot plum (Armeniaca mume var. bungo) cultivars, which can tolerate low temperatures of -25°C, ordinary plum blossoms tolerate low temperatures of -10°C and high temperatures, and can even grow at 40°C. They grow and develop best in areas with an annual average temperature of 16-23°C. It is very sensitive to temperature and blooms when the average temperature in early spring reaches -5-7°C.

2. Watering and fertilizing

During the growing period, attention should be paid to watering, keeping the potting soil often moist with a tendency toward dryness; it should be neither waterlogged nor too wet or too dry, and watering should follow the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry between waterings. Generally, water less on cloudy days and when the temperature is low, and water more otherwise. In summer, water twice a day; in spring and autumn, water once a day; in winter, water thoroughly only after the soil has dried out. Fertilizing should also be reasonable: apply a good base fertilizer before planting, and at the same time mix in a small amount of potassium dihydrogen phosphate; apply potassium dihydrogen phosphate once more before flowering, and apply well-rotted cake fertilizer once after flowering to supplement nutrients. In June, a compound fertilizer can also be applied once to promote flower bud differentiation. After the leaves fall in autumn, apply an organic fertilizer once, such as well-rotted manure.

3. Shaping and pruning

For field-grown plum blossoms, shaping and pruning can be done within 20 days after flowering. Focus on a natural tree shape, cut off crossing branches, upright branches, dead branches, overly dense branches and so on, and shorten the side branches to promote abundant flowers and lush leaves. Potted plum blossoms should be heavily pruned after potting to lay the foundation for making bonsai. Usually a plum stump is used as the main feature, with various forms of plum blossom grafted onto it. Maintain a certain temperature, and the plum blossoms can be seen in full bloom at Spring Festival. If you want them to bloom at "May Day", you need to maintain a temperature of 0-5°C and a moist environment, move them outdoors in early April, and keep them in a place with plenty of sunlight and good ventilation, and then they will bloom around "May Day".

4. Flowering period management

Flowering control: potted plum blossoms are generally for home viewing. After the leaves fall in winter, place them indoors, keep the temperature at 0-5°C, gradually raise the temperature to 5-10°C after New Year's Day, let them receive full sunlight, and frequently spray water on the branches, with the water temperature close to room temperature.