skip to main content

Redbud flower bud cluster question

6 years ago

I have a Rising Sun redbud that makes these little clusters every year but they never actually fully flower. The regular looking flower buds do their thing as usual but each bud on the clusters are hit or miss. Anybody have any ideas what is going on?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

bengz6westmd
6 years ago
Hmm. Not sure I've seen that kind of damage. Frost? A fungus? I dunno.
j0nd03
Original Author
6 years ago
The clusters form in late summer/fall like all the other buds. I keep thinking every year it's going to be more settled in and the clusters will flower. This is the 3rd year in a row it has done this.
Related Discussions
Little Bud Clusters On Young Grape Plant??
Q
Comments (14)
I was shocked when a few of my UC Davis cuttings that are just budding out had tiny hard little grape flower clusters. Of course I removed them immediately. It made sense to me because cuttings are actually canes, that if left on the vine, would be fruiting this year. I don't need your photo to be in focus. Those are clusters! They look exactly like the ones that first form in the vineyard, and exactly like the ones forming on my cuttings. It hurts to do it, but pinch em off!! Good luck with your vines!
...See More
Forsythia - weird clusters on branches
Q
Comments (9)
What you are describing sounds very much like forsythia phomopsis galls, a not uncommon forsythia problem. Phomopsis is a fungal pathogen that can affect a number of plants in this manner, however its cause/source is not well understood. Spiky, ball-like galls are produced that resemble some sort of mutant sprouting growth. They tend to die out on their own naturally after several seasons, so may be why they appear hollw as well. The recommeded treatment is to prune out affected branches well below the galls, If they are extremely prolific, you might want to consider removing and replacing the shrub.
...See More
Cluster-Flowering Noisettes
Q
Comments (34)
Noisette roses rock! I was thrilled that out of the seven plants of 'Cato's Clusters' I grew from cuttings in 2004, one sported a cane that produces only white blossoms, and now 2/3rds of the plant now (in 2012)sports pure white blooms from the moment that the sepals part. Other canes have c. 50% pink blooms and the rest pure white. Nearly all Noisettes where I live are highly disease resistant in 3 local no-spray gardens. (Mac being a notable exception because she's often covered with p.m.) I also grow -Celine Forestier -Marechal Niel -Mme. Alfred Carriere -Lamarque (along with Crepescule the most resistant to p.m., here) -Le Pactole -Reve d'Or' I love that rounded bloom form, it is such a romantic bloom style. -'Nastarana' I have two of these pretty white Noisette roses flanking the entrance to my most fragrant rose garden, their scent, like R. moschata, wafts on the air filling it with Musk rose scent for a distance of several yards. Of all the Noisettes I've seen and smelled at the Vintage gardens collection and San Jose Heritage Rose garden the most strongly fragrant to me, and the one I desire most,is 'Secret Garden Noisette' which has red-pink staining on the outer edges of the petals. I ruffled a few blooms on the plant, and my hand was perfumed for several hours afterwards. 'Secret Garden Noisette' was found in the same garden as Secret Garden Climbing Musk' I think Rogue valley sells it. It is one of the roses I loose sleep over, lusting after. Luxrosa
...See More
Forest Pansy Redbud Tree or Eastern Redbud Tree
Q
Comments (3)
Hardiness zone-wise, the Eastern Redbud should do fine in Front Range area, but of course other things than zone come into play here in Colorado. Like tommysmom, I'm in the Denver metro area, so I am not sure this will help you... Two of our neighbors (across the street from our house) have redbuds in their yards; they are mature trees and thrive year after year with a wonderful display of flowers in the early spring. I, however, haven't had much luck with them in my yard. One that I purchased did OK for a few years but then split in half one winter and died. I have had several "volunteers" that showed up in my yard - seeds from my neighbors' trees obviously - but most of them have died, not making it through their first winter. I do have a couple of seedlings (about 3 or 4 ft high) that seem to be OK this spring - one even has about 3 flower clusters on it, lol - so perhaps my luck has changed, but I am not counting on it! It could be that the trees need some extra protection from the cold and wind during their first year or so here in Colorado, which I have not provided. Perhaps they need tree wrap, extra mulch, or.... The blooms of the Eastern Redbuds are beautiful and I really like the leaves as well, so I would love to have one that survives. karljr - if no one from Colorado Springs responds, you can always check with a reputable nursery in your area and see what they recommend. Holly
...See More
bengz6westmd
6 years ago
I look at my redbud & others closely & never seen that. You're in Arkansas -- maybe early autumn heat just after they've formed?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
6 years ago
hey ... the long lost john doe ... how you been???

are you saying these exact ones have never bloomed ... if so.. i would have rubbed them off a year or two ago ...

if you are saying its new ones each year ... well .. im with the rest of us... i dont really know ... i might suggest winter damage .... is that possible in arkansas???

how large was the transplant ... when planted ... is it fully established ... do you fert it .. if so.. with what?? ... is it in the middle of a fertd lawn???

ken
whaas_5a
6 years ago
Totally off the cuff and nothing to back it up but once heard Redbuds don't form proper flower buds if they are in wet clay soils.
j0nd03
Original Author
6 years ago
Hey, Ken! I've been good man, how bout yourself?

Yes, it makes new ones every fall but they seem pretty confined to a few branches. No fert

It was a couple of feet shorter and much more narrow when I bought it 5 years ago. It wasn't growing well at all in the middle of the yard in full sun so I moved it a couple years ago to it's new location on the north side of my house where it gets more shade. It has really taken well to the new spot growing much more in the 2 seasons after the move than it did in the 3 seasons in the original spot.

Whaas, we are more sandy loam here at my house and it was a very dry fall and winter here.

I was thinking some kind of viral/fungal thing but I'm just not sure. These bud clusters only make up probably around 5% of the total flower buds so the tree still looks normal from a few feet. It does have an area of sunscald that is still healing from before I moved it and the clusters didn't start until after I moved it. Maybe a pathogen got in when I moved it and had to sever some roots that were about 3/4" thick.

Here is a pic of the tree and some weeds

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Let Lilac Love Flower This Spring

By Alison Hodgson

Whatever you bestow or receive for Mother's Day, lilacs can be an unmatched gift in the garden in May

GARDENING GUIDES 20 White Flowers to Illuminate Your Garden

By Annie Thornton

Find out which plants with white flowers will grow well in your landscape

GARDENING GUIDES Great Design Plant: Eastern Redbud

By Becky Harris

With romantic pink blooms and heart-shape leaves, this ornamental tree has been inspiring affection since the days of the founding fathers

TREES Get to Know These Fabulous Flowering Cherries

By 舩村　佳織｜エノコロ庭園設計室

Ornamental cherry trees differ in size, form and bloom color. Here’s an introduction to the famed ‘sakura’ varieties

LANDSCAPE DESIGN Great Design Plant: Sun-Loving Bougainvillea Showers Yards With Color

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Bring unbeatable vibrancy to a garden or wall with this unfussy and trainable shrub packed with colorful bracts

GARDENING GUIDES 6 Captivating Roses for an Alluringly Fragrant Garden

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Perfume your garden with aromas from richly spicy to lightly sweet, without sacrificing an inch of color

GARDENING GUIDES What Kind of Roses Should You Grow?

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Want to add the beauty of roses to your garden? Find out which ones, from old-fashioned to modern, are right for you

FLOWERS AND PLANTS Usher In Fall With Viburnum Lentago

By Pollination Press LLC

Plant nannyberry for a profusion of spring flowers, beautiful autumn color and attractive fruit that the birds will devour

GARDENING GUIDES Garden-Friendly Native Alternatives to Overplanted Exotics

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

There are lots of gorgeous, wildlife-friendly native plants ready to make an appearance in your garden

GARDENING GUIDES When Is the Right Time to Prune Your Hydrangeas?

By Marianne Lipanovich

The type of hydrangea you have determines when it’s time to trim

Sponsored

More Discussions

Bursera Fagaroides?

4

Weeping White Spruce Growth

15

Dappled willow tree damaged by deer

3

Is it normal for new trees to have 8"of solid clay in the root ball?

6

Tree trimming suggestions

0