My yard must be possessed by demons because my flowers don't bloom anymore. The daffodils haven't bloomed for 2 or 3
by
Louise
+1
years (had one bloom this year -- transplanted AND planted new ones in the fall of 2011, fertilized, etc.), last yr my irises had maybe 2 blooms and had about the same with my tiger lilies and day lilies. The green parts of the daffodils are still up and my irises' green parts are up and the lilies are coming along. The irises show no signs of their planning to bloom and some neighbors' are already blooming nicely. I want to transplant all of them and the lilies need lots of thinning out. I'm sure if I do that now, it's not the right time, but since I don't anticipate any blooms, anyway, it seems like it would do no harm, and since all of the green parts are visible, I'll know what I'm digging up. Is this a horrible idea? And what can I add to the soil to make them bloom? My fertilizer and bone meal added to the daffodils did no good. :-( BTW, I don't get a lot of sun, but it's about the same as it's been for a few years now when the flowers DID bloom.
4 answers
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It's possible overcrowding is the culprit, Louise, although I think it is likely that the amount of shade is as much a factor. This is actually a pretty good time to divide daylilies. It's not a good time to divide iris, which should be done in late summer. I can honestly say that I have never fertilized a daffodil, and the one thing you want to make sure of is that whatever fertilizer you use doesn't have too much nitrogen, which will encourage foliage growth at the expense of bloom. Before you go to all this work, I suggest you get a soil test from the University of Georgia, which will tell you if there is some underlying issue going on, and also tell you what you need to add to your soil to bring it up to snuff.
Douglas Hunt
on Mar 24, 2013
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I'll get a soil test. That could solve some problems for sure. Thanks.
Louise
on Mar 24, 2013
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In our area, Louise, bed prep and raised beds will make a major difference in the performance of your bulbs, annuals and perennials. You will have great success with Mr. Natural CLM that you can purchase from Ashe Simpson on Peachtree Industrial and other fine/locally-owned garden centers. Aside from that, your lack of sun is also contributing to your lack of flowers. The bulbs had "energy" in them when you bought them that has slowly dwindled because with lack of sun, they can't "recharge" themselves. Those aren't horticulture terms by far, but I hope it communicates. You might to consider a landscape consultation to help you determine the specific concerns for your site. The amount of "shade" you have is difficult to determine unless the site is actually seen. Light shade is OK for daffodils but daylilies and iris need sun. Hope that helps.
Home & Garden Design, Inc., Danna Cain, ASLA
on Apr 15, 2013
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Thanks. I'll check out that Mr. Natural CLM. That's new to me.
Louise
on Apr 15, 2013
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