Why doesn't wintersweet bloom?

Reasons why wintersweet does not bloom

The seedlings purchased are

Seedlings are seedlings grown directly from seeds. This type of plant needs 3 to 5 years to grow to the flowering and fruiting stage. Before this, even if the plant is properly maintained and has lush branches and leaves, it will not bloom early.

Too much nitrogen fertilizer

Everyone knows that nitrogen fertilizer promotes leaf growth, and wintersweet needs sufficient nutrients during the flowering period. Too much nitrogen fertilizer will cause a lack of nutrients for flower bud differentiation, resulting in no flowering.

Excessive moisture

Wintersweet loves light, and insufficient light will affect the differentiation of flower buds. During the flower bud differentiation period of wintersweet, placing the potted plants in an overly dark and humid environment is not conducive to flower bud differentiation. To this end, water should be reduced in late summer and early autumn, and the plant should always be placed in a sunny place. This will greatly facilitate the formation and expansion of flower buds.

Not topping

When the wintersweet enters the flowering stage, if it is allowed to sprout spontaneously during the spring and summer nutritional growth period without necessary topping and shoot control, it will also grow out of control due to excess nutrition, affecting the differentiation and growth of flower buds. Generally, when the tip of the shoot has grown 3 to 5 pairs of leaves, the top 1/3 should be removed in time to promote the germination of the lower lateral buds and the normal differentiation of flower buds.

How to make wintersweet bloom more

Heavy pruning after flowering

Wintersweet usually blooms on branches grown in the current year, so it needs to be heavily pruned after flowering. Cut off the old branches, leaving 3-4 thick main branches in each pot, and cut off all other branches. When the new branches grow to 10-15 cm, pinch them off once. This will ensure that new branches grow strong and there will be more flowers next year.

Timely repotting and fertilization

Wintersweet likes fertilizer and needs to be repotted every year. Change to a larger pot or repot the plant according to its growth. Apply sufficient base fertilizer when repotting, apply nitrogen fertilizer when new branches emerge, and apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers when buds form. Water thoroughly the next day after fertilizing to promote the absorption of fertilizer by the roots.

Watering is better dry than wet

Wintersweet is drought-resistant, so it is better to keep the soil dry than wet, and when you do water it thoroughly. Too much water will cause the wintersweet to drop its leaves and affect the formation of flower buds. After flowering, remove the remaining flowers in time to prevent them from setting fruit and affecting flowering in the second year. Water promptly after removing the flowers.