What to do if the Hippeastrum does not bloom but only grows leaves
Today, the editor will explain in detail how to deal with the situation where Hippeastrum only grows leaves and does not bloom, as well as some gardening knowledge about the flowering and care techniques of Hippeastrum, specifically as follows:
Hippeastrum is a perennial bulbous plant of the Amaryllidaceae family. Because the flowers are exceptionally large and shaped like a five-star trumpet, similar to the loudspeaker of a broadcasting station, it is also called "broadcasting flower" in some places. If properly cared for, Hippeastrum will bloom from April to May in the spring, with flower spikes starting to grow from March.
Recently, several gardening friends have commented that it is already March, but their Hippeastrum still hasn't grown flower spikes. The main reason why Hippeastrum fails to grow flower spikes is that the care is not good enough. Spring care should focus on the following three points to allow it to grow flower buds normally and bloom smoothly.
1. Bulbs need low-temperature vernalization
Hippeastrum is a bulbous plant with a round bulb in the soil. Rooting and sprouting all grow from the bulb. After the flowering period, the flower spikes of Hippeastrum also grow from the bulb. The bulbs of Hippeastrum need to go through low-temperature "vernalization" before they can grow flower spikes normally.
Vernalization is also very simple. We need to place the flower pot in an environment of 0 to 10 degrees Celsius in winter or early spring when the temperature is still relatively low, and care for about 1 month. Alternatively, you can dig the bulb out of the soil, wrap it with newspaper, and place it in the refrigerator for about 1 month. After low-temperature treatment, the bulb will be able to grow flower buds when the weather warms up in spring.
What to do if the Hippeastrum does not bloom but only grows leaves
2. Supplement fertilizers
The bulbs of Hippeastrum contain a lot of nutrients, and the flower spikes will continuously consume the nutrients in the bulbs during growth, developing flower buds and blooming. However, some gardening friends' Hippeastrum lack regular fertilization, and the bulbs do not store enough nutrients, leading to insufficient nutrition for the flower spikes and resulting in their slow growth.
When the temperature rises to 12 degrees Celsius or higher in spring, we need to supplement fertilizers for Hippeastrum to provide adequate nutrition for the flower spikes to grow. It is recommended to choose liquid fertilizers high in phosphorus and potassium elements, such as Huaduo 2, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, and so on. Taking the most common potassium dihydrogen phosphate as an example, dilute it with water at a ratio of 1:1000 to make a fertilizer solution, and use the solution to water the Hippeastrum potting soil. Apply once every 7 to 10 days, continuously until the flowers bloom.
3. Maintain good lighting
If you want Hippeastrum to grow flower spikes as soon as possible, in addition to low-temperature vernalization and sufficient fertilization, it also needs enough light. If Hippeastrum is kept in a location with poor lighting for a long time, it will use most of its nutrients to grow leaves in order to survive, hoping to have more leaves to absorb sunlight. This will result in the Hippeastrum growing leaves but not blooming.
For newly planted Hippeastrum in spring, it needs to be placed in a semi-shaded area first to give the bulb some time to adapt to the new soil environment. After about 15 to 20 days, when the plant has adapted to the environment, move it to a sunny position to get more sunlight. If the Hippeastrum has been planted for a while, it can be placed directly in a sunny position, ensuring at least 5 hours of direct sunlight each year to allow the bulb to grow flower spikes and bloom.
The sharing in this article about what to do if the Hippeastrum does not bloom but only grows leaves and the related flowering and care techniques of Hippeastrum are introduced in detail and hope to be of help to you. Don't forget to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website for more gardening experience and knowledge!