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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 prized for its lush decorativeness, which pleases the eye throughout the season. After the end of the flowering period, the effectiveness of the spreading bushes does not decrease at all. But perennials are grown in the plots precisely for the sake of the moment of flowering. In order for astilba to bloom for the prescribed period, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the requirements of agricultural technology.
The beauty of a flowering plant leaves no one indifferent
Features of flowering astilba
There are more than 200 varieties and hybrids of perennials. 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 decorative effect of flowers is enhanced when planted in partial shade. Not many plants can boast of this characteristic.
The bush releases graceful inflorescences even when placed in partial shade
How astilba blooms
Astilba inflorescences consist of small openwork flowers. They can be of various colors from deep red and lilac to delicate white, pink or blue. The most spectacular look is in drooping inflorescences. If you look at them from afar, they resemble fluff panicles. On closer inspection, it can be seen that thin petals and stamens create such an illusion.
Flowers resemble fluff and look very delicate
Other species have delicate petals.
Depending on the type of astilba, inflorescences can be of different shapes - drooping, paniculate, rhombic, pyramidal. The species can be distinguished by the following parameters:
- In the rhombic form, the lateral shoots are located at an acute angle to the central branch.
- In the pyramidal, they are located at right angles to the central branch and decrease in size towards the apex.
- When the lateral shoots decrease closer to the apex, but recede at an acute angle, then this is what the paniculate shape looks like.
- The drooping branches are flexible.
The main types of astilba inflorescences are easy to distinguish
Astilba racemose inflorescences are rather large, up to 20-30 cm in length. Different colors allow you to select several species that bloom all summer. Some varieties can bloom with buds of several shades at once.
When and how much astilba blooms
Duration and flowering time of cultivars differ. 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, astilbe begins to bloom in:
- June - early flowering varieties;
- July - medium 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. A sunny or shaded place is equally suitable for June and August astilbes. July varieties require planting in shaded areas due to the strong solar activity this month.
Competently selected varieties greatly decorate the site in the summer months.
The 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 seed provides the longest waiting period.After all the necessary measures with seedlings, astilba will bloom only in the third year.
Another method that gardeners use is to root the renewal bud. The future sprout is planted in the spring, transferred to open ground for the next year, also in the spring. The perennial will bloom in the summer in the year of planting.
What determines the flowering of astilba
The most important stage in a plant's life depends on several conditions - place, variety, plant condition, growing conditions. Of these, heat and moisture are the most important.
For a perennial, you need to correctly choose a place where it will grow. Astilba loves heat and good watering. But, if the flower does not feel well in the sun, then you will have to transplant it in partial shade. Then flowering will resume. Many gardeners plant the plant in an area where groundwater is close and there is natural shading (trees).
List of reasons why astilba grows poorly and does not bloom
So that the plant does not stop blooming magnificently every year, you need to know the reasons that prevent this. Among the main factors due to which astilba blooms poorly, there are:
- features of the variety;
- the state of the root system;
- diseases and pests;
- violation of the rules of landing and leaving;
- plant age.
Every nuance can cause a lack of flowering. If the cause is eliminated in time and correctly, then the bush will bloom again.
After eliminating any of the problems, the grateful plant again pleases with its flowering
Varietal 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 characteristics of the variety so as not to panic in advance.
The second subtlety relates to the growing conditions of the variety. Many gardeners believe that lush flowering can be achieved with a little shading of the astilbe. However, there are species that do not develop well in the shade - Bergkrisstal, 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 find out in advance all the varietal characteristics of the plant, especially the flowering time of astilba.
Age of flowers
Astilba grows in one place for up to 10 years. Experienced gardeners advise not to leave the plant for so long without a transplant. Otherwise, the lush flowering ceases, 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 little space, and it comes to the surface. In this state, the plant stops opening its 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, astilbe does not bloom without watering. Also, the burning sun can cause the cessation of budding. Without rain and in the sun, the bush may die. Salvation in this case will be high-quality mulching of the soil with a layer of at least 5 cm.
Violation of landing rules
When planting a plant, it is necessary to fulfill the requirements of the variety. If you violate any of the points, then astilba stops flowering. The main attention should be paid to:
- Illumination degree. The right location for the species will provide ideal conditions for the development of the perennial.
- Soil composition. The soil should be moisture-absorbing and always slightly damp. 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 you need to take the necessary measures for acidification or leaching.
- Distance between bushes. Astilbes love a little thickening. When planting low-growing varieties, more than 25 cm, and tall ones - 50 cm.
- Rhizome preparation. If you neglect soaking the roots in a fungicide solution, then the plant can 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 sprouts of the rhizome. They should be at ground level. Violation of this rule even leads to the death of the plant.
Before planting, you need 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 followed strictly. The lack of flowering can be due to:
- Irregularities in the watering schedule. In order for the inflorescences to grow long and large, you need to moisturize the bush abundantly, especially in the summer.
Not only flowering, but also the growth of a perennial directly depends on the quality of watering.
- Insufficient nutrition. For lush flowering, Astilbe needs complex mineral fertilizers, as well as superphosphate + urea + potassium.
- Neglecting mulching. The active sun evaporates moisture in the near-stem zone and suppresses the plant. Mulching protects the roots from overheating and drying out, retains moisture. Straw, sawdust, bark, pebbles will do.
- Poor preparation for winter. If the rhizome freezes in winter, then the plant will not bloom in summer.
- Irregular bush transplant. The old root system does not provide astilbe with enough nutrients for a lush bloom. It is allowed to renew the rhizome without transplanting - digging and cutting old roots. Then the bush is returned to its original place.
- Inattention when examining the plant and the lack of preventive treatments for pests or diseases.
- Exposure of the rhizome. It is necessary to add soil under the plant annually so that the rhizome does not freeze, dry out and give new adventitious roots. This will give the astilbe resources to bloom. Otherwise, astilba dries and does not bloom.
Astilba resists lesions well, but root damage can only lead to an increase in green mass. The perennial will have no strength left for flowering. You need 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 bush can be attacks:
- Slobbering pennies. The pest is a carrier of viral diseases, it infects the leaves. You can fight the penny manually by collecting the pest. Rogor, Konfidor, 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 a pest in order to immediately notice it.
- Gall nematode. The pest attacks the roots. The drugs hardly 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 be determined only by examining the root system.
Important! It is necessary to remove the bush with a part of the soil so that the infected roots do not remain in the ground. - Strawberry nematode. Affects leaves and buds. It is capable of killing a large number of plants in a short time. The bushes should be dug up and burned. Chemicals don't work.
The strawberry nematode is considered a very dangerous enemy of astilbe.
Due to the fact that perennials are moisture-loving, they can be affected by root rot.
Root rot can be easily avoided with proper agricultural practices
This occurs when there is a lack of oxygen in the soil and an excess of moisture. Prophylactic treatment with Bordeaux mixture or antiseptic solutions helps.
What to do if astilba does not bloom, and the reason is not established
The main rule of the gardener should be a careful examination of the plant. Some reasons are only noticeable upon close examination. If no apparent reason is found, you should dig out the bush and check the condition of the root system. It is a rhizome plant, and its vitality 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.
Professional advice
Experienced florists advise:
- Timely carry out preventive treatments against diseases and pests. You shouldn't wait for problems to appear.
- Purchase only high-quality planting material from a trusted supplier. This applies not only to the cut but also to the seeds.
- It is imperative to burn all parts of the plant in the presence of pests or diseases in order to prevent spread.
- Inspect the bush regularly, especially during the flowering period.
- Timely transplant astilba to a new place.
- Avoid the neighborhood of crops that are prone to attacks by pests and diseases.
- Do not forget to cut the flower stalks after flowering.
Compliance with such basic requirements will prevent many problems and allow you to enjoy the flowering of astilba every year.
Conclusion
Astilba does not bloom on the site only if certain growing rules are violated. Completing each point will make it possible even for a novice gardener to grow a lush flowering bush.
