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When astilba does not bloom, it is important for gardeners to know the main reasons for this manifestation. The flower is valued for its lush decorativeness, which pleases the eye throughout the season. After the end of the flowering period, the effectiveness of sprawling bushes does not decrease at all. But perennials are grown on plots precisely for the moment of flowering. In order for astilba to bloom on time, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the requirements of agricultural technology.
The beauty of a flowering plant leaves no one indifferent
Astilba flowering features
There are over 200 perennial varieties and hybrids. They differ in size, color of inflorescences, splendor of flowering. A feature of the plant is the duration of flowering. But most of all, gardeners love astilba because the decorativeness of flowers is enhanced when planted in partial shade. Not many plants can boast of such a characteristic.
The bush produces graceful inflorescences even when placed in partial shade
How astilba blooms
Astilba inflorescences consist of small openwork flowers. They can have a different color from rich red and lilac to delicate white, pink or blue. The most spectacular view of drooping inflorescences. If you look at them from afar, they resemble panicles of fluff. On closer examination, it is clear that such an illusion is created by thin petals and stamens.
Flowers resemble fluff and look very delicate.
In other species, the petals are openwork.
Depending on the type of astilba, the inflorescences can be of different shapes – drooping, paniculate, rhombic, pyramidal. The species can be distinguished by the following parameters:
- With a rhombic shape, the lateral sprouts are located at an acute angle to the central branch.
- At the pyramidal, they are located at a right angle to the central branch and decrease in size towards the apex.
- When the lateral sprouts decrease closer to the top, but depart at an acute angle, this is what the paniculate shape looks like.
- The drooping branch is flexible.
The main types of astilba inflorescences are easy to distinguish
The racemose inflorescences of astilba are quite large, up to 20-30 cm in length. Different coloring allows you to choose several species that bloom all summer. Some varieties can bloom at once with buds of several shades.
When and how much astilbe blooms
The duration and time of flowering varieties are different. There are species that bloom for no more than a month. Others delight gardeners with their flowering throughout the summer season.
Depending on the flowering period, astilbes begin to bloom in:
- June – early flowering varieties;
- July – mid-flowering;
- August or September – late flowering.
The time at which a variety begins to bloom also affects the length of the period and growing conditions. June and August astilbes are equally suitable for a sunny or shaded place. July varieties require planting in shady areas due to strong solar activity this month.
Properly selected varieties decorate the site very much in the summer months.
Flowering time depends on the method of planting and transplanting the plant. If the perennial is propagated in early spring by dividing the bush, then the first inflorescences will delight the gardener in the fall.
Sexual reproduction by seeds provides the longest waiting period. After all the necessary activities with seedlings, astilba will bloom only in the third year.
Another method that gardeners use is rooting a renewal bud. The future sprout is planted in the spring, transferred to open ground the next year, also in the spring. Perennial blooms in the summer in the year of planting.
What determines the flowering of astilba
The most important stage in the life of a plant depends on several conditions – place, variety, condition of the plant, growing conditions. Of these, heat and moisture are the most significant.
For a perennial, you need to correctly choose a place where it will grow. Astilba loves high temperatures and good watering. But, if the flower does not feel well in the sun, then you will have to transplant it into partial shade. Then flowering will resume. Many gardeners plant a plant in a place where groundwater is close and there is natural shading (trees).
A list of reasons why astilba grows poorly and does not bloom
In order for the plant not to stop blooming magnificently every year, you need to know the reasons that prevent this. Among the main factors due to which astilba blooms poorly are:
- characteristics of the variety;
- state of the root system;
- diseases and pests;
- violation of the rules of landing and care;
- plant age.
Each nuance can cause a lack of flowering. If the cause is eliminated on time and correctly, then the bush will bloom again.
After eliminating any of the problems, the grateful plant again pleases with its flowering.
Variety Features
An important nuance that flower growers need to know is that not all varieties bloom in the first year of life. You should find out the features of the variety so as not to panic in advance.
The second subtlety refers to the growing conditions of the variety. Many gardeners are sure that lush flowering can be achieved with a little shading of astilba. However, there are species that do not develop well in the shade – Bergkristal, Gloria, Weiss Pearl.
The third feature concerns the flowering period. It is simply impossible to wait for inflorescences in a late-flowering species in June. Therefore, you should know in advance all the varietal characteristics of the plant, especially the flowering time of astilba.
Flower Age
Astilba grows in one place up to 10 years. Experienced gardeners advise not to leave the plant for so long without a transplant. Otherwise, lush flowering stops, the bush becomes less decorative. To maintain the effectiveness of the perennial, it should be transplanted after 4 years. This is due to the rapid growth of the root system, which becomes short of space, and it comes to the surface. In this state, the plant stops opening buds.
Weather
The plant does not tolerate overheating of the upper part of the rhizome and loss of moisture. Therefore, in a very dry and hot period of the year, astilba does not bloom without watering. Also, the burning sun can cause the budding to stop. Without rain and in the sun, the bush may die. Salvation in this case will be high-quality soil mulching with a layer of at least 5 cm.
Violation of the landing rules
When planting a plant, it is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the variety. If you violate any of the points, then the astilba stops flowering. The main attention should be paid to:
- The degree of illumination. The right place for the species will provide ideal conditions for the development of perennials.
- Soil composition. The soil should be moisture-absorbing and always slightly moist. Having planted a plant on dry or swampy soil, it will be problematic to wait for flowering.
- acidity level. The plant prefers slightly acidic soil. If the site has a different value, then it is necessary to carry out the necessary measures for acidification or alkalization.
- Distance between bushes. Astilbes love a little thickening. When planting low-growing varieties further than 25 cm, and tall ones – 50 cm.
- Rootstock preparation. If we neglect the soaking of the roots in a fungicide solution, then the plant may be further attacked by pests.
To prevent infection of the bush, you need to process the rhizomes before planting
- The position of the base of the rhizome sprouts. They must be at ground level. Violation of this rule even leads to the death of the plant.
Before landing, it is necessary to remember all the nuances in order to carry out the process correctly.
Violation of the rules of care
Perennial does not require complex care. But some points must be strictly followed. The lack of flowering may be due to:
- Irrigation schedule violations. In order for the inflorescences to grow long and large, it is necessary to moisten the bush abundantly, especially in the summer.
Not only flowering, but also the growth of perennials directly depends on the quality of irrigation.
- Insufficient nutrition. Astilbe for lush flowering needs complex mineral fertilizers, as well as superphosphate + urea + potassium.
- Neglect of mulching. The active sun evaporates moisture in the near-stem zone and suppresses the plant. Mulching protects the roots from overheating and drying, retains moisture. Suitable straw, sawdust, bark, pebbles.
- Poor preparation for winter. If the rhizome freezes in winter, then the plant will not bloom in summer.
- Irregular transplantation of the bush. The old root system does not provide astilba with enough nutrients for lush flowering. It is allowed to update the rhizome without transplantation – digging and pruning old roots. Then the bush is returned to its original place.
- Carelessness when examining the plant and the lack of preventive treatments for pests or diseases.
- Exposing the rhizome. It is necessary to add soil under the plant every year so that the rhizome does not freeze, does not dry out and gives new adventitious roots. This will give the astilba resources to bloom. Otherwise, astilba dries and does not bloom.
Astilbe resists damage well, but damage to the roots can only lead to an increase in green mass. The perennial will not have the strength to bloom. It is necessary to know what kind of enemies the flower has in order to take appropriate measures.
Diseases and pests
Astilba does not bloom when pests or diseases appear. The main problems of the hive can be attacks:
- Drooling pennies. The pest is a carrier of viral diseases, infects the leaves. You can fight pennitsa manually by collecting the pest. Rogor, Confidor, Karbofos are also used against the parasite. Foamy secretions do not allow substances to fully affect the pest, so manual collection is more reliable.
It is important to know the external signs of the pest in order to immediately notice it.
- Gall nematodes. The pest attacks the roots. The drugs almost do not help, so you have to remove the affected bush. Astilba can be re-planted in the same place no earlier than after 5 years.
Nematode damage can only be determined by examining the root system
Important! It is necessary to remove the bush with part of the soil so that the infected roots do not remain in the ground. - Strawberry nematode. It affects leaves and buds. Able to kill a large number of plants in a short time. Bushes should be dug up and burned. The chemicals don’t work.
Strawberry nematode is considered a very dangerous enemy of astilbe
Due to the fact that the perennial is moisture-loving, it can be affected by root rot.
Root rot can be easily avoided by observing the requirements of agricultural technology
This occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in the soil and an excess of moisture. Preventive treatment with Bordeaux mixture or antiseptic solutions helps.
What to do if the astilbe does not bloom, and the reason has not been established
The main rule of the gardener should be a careful examination of the plant. Some reasons are noticeable only upon close examination. If no visible causes are found, you should dig a bush and check the condition of the root system. This is a rhizomatous plant, and its viability is directly dependent on the health of the roots. The second solution is to transplant. At the same time, choose a new place very carefully, taking into account all the requirements of the variety.
Advice of professionals
Experienced growers advise:
- Timely carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pests. Don’t wait for problems to appear.
- Purchase only high-quality planting material from a trusted supplier. This applies not only to divisions, but also to seeds.
- Be sure to burn all parts of the plant if there are pest or disease infestations to prevent spread.
- Regularly inspect the bush, especially during the flowering period.
- Timely transplant astilba to a new place.
- Avoid the neighborhood of crops prone to attack by pests and diseases.
- Do not forget to cut the flower stalks after flowering.
Compliance with such elementary requirements will prevent many problems and allow you to enjoy astilbe flowering every year.
Conclusion
Astilbe does not bloom on the site only if certain growing rules are violated. The implementation of each item will make it possible to grow a lush flowering bush even for a novice gardener.