Secrets to Getting Plants to Bloom Like Crazy

The most spectacular gardens are those that focus on the production of blooms, either in large numbers or as single perfect specimens. Growing to produce flowers requires some techniques slightly different than those that favor vegetative growth. For one thing, too much nitrogen will.

Match the Plant to The Garden Environment

Achieving a garden brimming with bloom means starting with plants that are adapted to the area where they will grow. No matter how good the quality of the plants and how carefully they are tended, those planted in appropriate conditions will always outperform those that are not. Plants have specific needs for certain levels of temperature at certain periods of their lives. This goes beyond the ability to tolerate intense heat or cold. Plants of certain species require cold temperatures in winter, and those that do not get enough chilling may underperform when summer comes. Like temperature, light is also a complex issue.

All plants need levels of light specific to their species, but many also need a specific length of day to trigger flowering. Plants that need long days may never bloom in southern latitudes simply because the days never get long enough. Plants that are expected to bloom well must also be adapted to the water level in the garden and to the pH of the soil, although soil additives can ameliorate acidity or alkalinity to a certain degree.

What Can Go Wrong?

When plants do not bloom, the problem usually falls into one of several categories.

•     immaturity of the plant
•     temperature requirements not met
•     light in the wrong amount or wrong spectrum
•     other environmental factors
•     cultural practices

Gardeners should carefully research the plant and the conditions to which it is exposed so as to find the reason the plant is not blooming and remedy it.

Culture of Annuals

While many sorts of plants flower, annuals are generally more prolific bloomers than perennials and herbaceous plants, and their flowers are often larger and more colorful. Gardeners interested in the best possible display may well choose to concentrate on annuals. The plants are usually started in flats, cell packs or pots. They should be separated before planting and the root ball gently manipulated to alleviate compaction.

The plants are set in place at the same level in the garden as they were in the container and fed with a starter fertilizer high in phosphorus. Weeds should be suppressed to keep them from leaching away nutrients that would otherwise nourish blooms. An organic mulch will help with weed control as well as conserve the moisture in the soil.

Proper Caring

After planting, annuals should be watered deeply to encourage the formation of a deep root system. Care should be taken during watering to avoid dampening the plant’s foliage, as this can lead to disease. Six to eight weeks after planting the plants should be lightly fertilized. When the plant blooms and the individual blossoms die, they should be removed to encourage further blossoming. With proper attention to these practices, a planting of annuals should provide the best possible display of blooms for the longest possible period.

Gardening is a hobby that can take numerous forms. Gardeners who strive for an extensive display of blooms much choose plants with the potential to produce that effect that are adapted to local conditions. Barring circumstances such as natural disaster or vandalism may still prevent a good display, picking the right plants and taking care of them properly gives them the best possible chance of yielding a beautiful display.

This guest post was written by Harrison L., who is a Japanese bonsai tree enthusiast and writes about how to get started with your own bonsai starter tree right at home.

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2 Responses to “Secrets to Getting Plants to Bloom Like Crazy”

1. moolahmachine says:

   February 24, 2012 at 9:03 am

   It’s not that easy to make the flowers bloom especially if you don’t know how to take care of them properly. Good thing you listed the secrets on how to make the flowers bloom brightly. Thanks for sharing!

   Reply
2. SmallBiz Sue says:

   March 27, 2012 at 8:41 am

   How I wish I got the skills of my grandmother when it comes to taking care of plants. Unfortunately, I don’t have any idea how to do it. All I know is that I love flowers.

   Reply