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Mild winter, and yet my Forythias only bloomed on 1 branch each? Fail.

8 years ago

Another year, another puny bloom from my Forsythias. One branch on each, the branch on the very bottom on both, bloomed. I didn't even notice it; my 10 yr old daughter pointed it out yesterday afternoon as we were leaving to go vote.

It doesn't make me feel any better that no one else's Forsythias have bloomed, in my area, either. I bought them for the blooms, (and for the screen they offer), and I've yet to see a fully bloomed shrub!

They love it here and have grown huge, so I won't replace them, but I am disappointed. If they wouldn't bloom after our relatively mild winter, I don't think they ever will. :(

Featured Answer

lisanti07028

8 years ago

How much sun do they receive? Have you pruned out the old growth?

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Comments (10)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
did you fert? .... over fert can be a problem ...

ken
ilovemytrees thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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ilovemytrees
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
They get full sun from dawn to dusk. I only fertilized them the year I planted them, and the year after. I haven't fertilized them since. No, I haven't pruned out the old growth. They aren't old shrubs. I planted them 4 years ago after buying them at the local nursery in 5 gallon sizes.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
8 years ago
Also, since no one else's Forsythias have bloomed in my area, from what I've seen, I think the problem is due to the fact we all have Lynwood Forsythias, and that their blooms just aren't hardy enough.
dretutz
8 years ago
I'm in Southern California--inland. My forsythia bloomed like gangbusters but looked dead all last summer and fall.
ilovemytrees thanked dretutz
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
Some questions ....

1. Did you have snow cover over the bottom branches which would have protected them from a freeze?

2. How old is the top growth? Forsythia blooms on year old wood.

3. Can you see dried up flower buds or are there none at all? i.e. did it bud and then they died or did it never bud?
NHBabs z4b-5a NH
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
The pattern of low blooms with nothing higher up says to me you have analyzed the problem correctly. There are varieties with hardier buds since I am colder than you and have a bush that blooms profusely. Unfortunately I don't remember the variety since I got it sort of as a hail Mary and didn't expect much in the way of bloom since my previous plants had been like yours. I'll see if it still has a tag tucked in somewhere, but you can research really hardy bud types to find one that will work better for you.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Update! I have ONE bloom, 3/4 way up the shrub. Hooray!

Here's a closeup

Please excuse the dead grass I just raked up from around the base of the shrub. DH weed-eated late fall and I just let the grass sit there all winter. I've been raking it all up this morning.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
8 years ago
1. Did you have snow cover over the bottom branches which would have protected them from a freeze? YES

2. How old is the top growth? Forsythia blooms on year old wood. ONE YEAR.

3. Can you see dried up flower buds or are there none at all? i.e. did it bud and then they died or did it never bud?

floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK Please forgive my ignorance on this, the shrubs' buds look gorgeous! But none of the yellow blooms popped out, until one did this morning. The buds also just started popping out green leaves.
floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK
8 years ago
The tall unbranched stems are one year old wood. As far as I can see from the photo it is covered with flower buds. They look absolutely fine to me. I think you panicked too soon.
ilovemytrees thanked floral_uk z.8/9 SW UK

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