Question of the Week
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When do our spring-blooming plants form their buds?
Some years our spring-flowering plants bloom more than others. Why is that, and when do they form their buds?
While some plants bloom on new wood that spring, many plants form their flower buds on old growth from the previous spring. That includes mountain laurels and fruit trees, which are planning for next year right now!
Many factors affect spring bloom. One thing is to avoid pruning off the buds that are setting now. With mountain laurels, look for the spikes emerging from the leaves. If you cut them off now, you sacrifice next spring's flowers.
Also, I'm often asked why flowering fruiting trees may not have as many flowers or fruits as one year as they did before. Most of the time, it's a lack of rainfall or diligent watering in dry times. That means we need to keep those trees watered well year round. in spring and summer.
Without sufficient water, the plants will focus on their self growth and postpone reproduction to the following year, when times hopefully will be better for the next generation's survival. Plants do have a great way of detecting what temperatures, sunlight and the environment is doing so they can adjust their growth and be positive for the future.
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