What to do if spring Daphne odora does not grow leaves
Let's talk about what to do if spring Daphne odora does not grow leaves and share some tips on how to care for Daphne odora during spring when the branches are robust and the leaves are green, as well as the planting of green plants and flowers. Let’s learn about it together.
Daphne odora, also known as "perfume flower" by gardening enthusiasts, is one of the few plants that can bloom in winter and is deeply loved by gardeners. Daphne odora has a long blooming period, starting in winter and lasting until the next spring. Now it is March, and the blooming period of Daphne odora is about to end. How should we manage it? After the flowers of Daphne odora fall in spring, doing four things promptly can help the plant recover and grow lush and full.
1. Repot after the flowers fade
Daphne odora is very particular about soil, preferring loose, breathable, and well-draining soil. Potted Daphne odora will continuously absorb nutrients from the soil with its roots, causing the originally soft potting soil to gradually harden and become compacted, which is no longer suitable for root growth. To help Daphne odora grow better, it is recommended to repot and change the soil every 1-2 years.
Daphne odora enters dormancy in summer and blooms in winter, which are not suitable times for repotting. The only seasons suitable for repotting are spring and autumn, but Daphne odora begins to form flower buds in autumn, and repotting can easily affect the growth of flower buds. Therefore, the best season for repotting Daphne odora is spring. After the flowers fade in spring, gardening enthusiasts should promptly prune the flowering branches and repot the plant.
2. Increase watering appropriately
As spring approaches, on one hand, the evaporation rate of water accelerates with the rise in temperature; on the other hand, Daphne odora enters the growing season, and the growth of branches and leaves consumes a lot of water. The entire plant requires a high amount of water. If water is insufficient, the new buds that sprout in spring will struggle to grow, and even if they do, they will be very weak.
When caring for Daphne odora in spring, it is necessary to increase the watering frequency. Every few days, check the surface of the soil, and if the surface is white and dry, water the potting soil promptly. Only with sufficient water can Daphne odora grow lush and full.
What to do if spring Daphne odora does not grow leaves
3. Supplement with fertilizer
Daphne odora consumes a lot of nutrients during winter blooming, and after the spring weather warms up, the plant usually is in a nutrient-deficient state. If not supplemented, the plant will continue to lack nutrients and fail to grow new branches and leaves normally.
When the temperature consistently stays above 10 degrees Celsius, many new buds will sprout on the branches of Daphne odora, and it is time to supplement the plant with fertilizer to provide nutrients. Use some decomposed organic fertilizer, such as decomposed cow dung, sheep dung, soybean cake fertilizer, etc. Along the edge of the pot, bury a small amount of fertilizer into the soil, doing this once a month. The fertilizer in the soil will slowly release nutrients, which the branches will absorb and grow more vigorously.
4. Avoid direct sunlight
Daphne odora prefers a semi-shaded environment. In winter, the UV radiation is weak, and you can expose Daphne odora to direct sunlight to help flower bud growth. However, as the temperature rises in spring, the UV radiation becomes stronger. It is not easy to sunburn in early spring, but as time progresses and the sun becomes stronger, after March, you should no longer expose Daphne odora to direct sunlight, as it can burn the tender branches and buds. Place the pot in a bright area with scattered light, avoiding direct sunlight, and ensure there is plenty of scattered light.
The above tips on what to do if spring Daphne odora does not grow leaves and related techniques for caring for robust branches and green leaves during spring are hoping to provide you with some help after reading this article!