What to Do If Forsythia Flowers but Does Not Bear Fruit
Forsythia, which has both ornamental and medicinal values, often puzzles growers with its failure to bear fruit despite flowering. This Oleaceae plant has special requirements for its growing environment, with mysteries hidden in everything from pollination mechanisms to nutrient distribution. This article will systematically analyze the causes of Forsythia's failure to bear fruit and provide practical solutions.
Three Main Reasons for Forsythia Not Bearing Fruit
1. Defects in Self-Pollination Mechanism
Forsythia has different lengths of styles, and when the ratio of long-style to short-style plants is unbalanced, the success rate of self-pollination is only about 4%. It is common to have single-plant cultivation in gardens, leading to ineffective fertilization between male and female gametes.
2. Nutrient Robbery by Suckering Branches
Unpruned plants produce a large number of suckering branches during the growing period, which consume more than 40% of the nutrients of the entire plant. Especially during the spring sprout period, this directly weakens the nutritional reserves required for flower bud differentiation.
3. Imbalance of Trace Elements (G-Y)
Insufficient phosphorus and potassium directly affect the development of flower organs, while a lack of boron leads to poor development of pollen tubes. When the soil pH value exceeds the optimal range of 6.0-7.5, it hinders nutrient absorption.
Four Steps for Forsythia High-Yield Management
1. Scientific Pollination Plant Configuration
Plant long-style and short-style plants in a 3:1 ratio, with the best row spacing of 2-3 meters. During the flowering period, manually assist pollination by using a soft-bristled brush to alternately collect pollen from different plants and gently sweep the stigma.
2. Three-Level Pruning System
Winter heavy pruning: Retain the main stem for 60-80 cm and remove crossing branches; Summer pinching: Retain 4-6 leaves on new branches; Daily maintenance: Promptly remove suckering branches that exceed 1/3 the thickness of the main stem.
3. Precise Fertilization Plan
During the flower bud differentiation period (March), apply bone meal + wood ash (2:1) at 500g per plant; During the fruit-setting period (May), supplement with potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution (0.2% concentration); Apply autumn base fertilizer with decomposed sheep manure + superphosphate (5:1).
4. Key Points of Environmental Regulation
Ensure at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, maintain air humidity at 60-70% during the flowering period, and add 30% humus soil to sandy loam to improve its structure. In the northern regions, protect flower buds from windshields in early spring.
By systematically implementing a three-in-one plan of pollination management, nutritional regulation, and tree pruning, the fruit-setting rate of Forsythia can be increased to over 75%. It is recommended to conduct regular soil testing and dynamically adjust maintenance strategies based on the phenological period to achieve the cultivation effect of abundant flowers and fruits.