Problem with althea (rose of sharon) blooms

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woolywooly Dunwoody, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 21, 2012

There is a 5 ft althea (in tree form) in my garden which looks quite healthy,has lush foliage, gets fertilized and watered regularly and is exposed to partial sun. Every year it develops a large quantity of bloom buds; when they reach maturity they never open and actually bloom; just stay tightly closed with a tiny light green rim around the top edge. When I open one of them up there appears to be a blossom inside - it just never comes out. What am I doing wrong? I'd appreciate some advice. Thanks!

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flowAjen central, NJ(Zone 6b) Aug 22, 2012

You can stop fertilizing it, they usually grow on their own just fine, in fact probably better when just left alone(unless it needs watering)

What type of part sun just morning or late day? they do better in full sun

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 25, 2012

I agree, it needs lots of sun, regular water and very little in the way of fertilizer, just a good feed in the spring. Sounds like all its' energy is going into growth and bud formation. Even sorely neglected ones will bloom fairly well once established.

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ecrane3 Dublin, CA(Zone 9a) Aug 25, 2012

You might also investigate whether the problem is due to thrips--they can cause this in tropical Hibiscus, and since ROS is also a species of Hibiscus maybe they are susceptible as well. In the tropicals thrips will often cause the buds to drop off as well as not open so I'm not sure it matches your symptoms, but probably worth checking.

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Beach_Barbie Kure Beach, NC(Zone 9a) Aug 26, 2012

Yep! All the above it good advice. I never fertilize my RoS or give it extra water.
Barb

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woolywooly Dunwoody, GA(Zone 8a) Aug 26, 2012

Re: Rose of Sharon Blooms To:flowAjen, themoonhowl, ecrane3, Beach_Barbie

Thank you all so much for responding - you verified what I sort of suspected - I was doing the killing with kindness bit (have a tendency to do that), especially since there is an althea in the back woods that's pretty much neglected - and it BLOOMS! Will quit fertilizing and will check it for thrips just in case. Thanks again! Happy digging.

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themoonhowl Prairieville, LA(Zone 9a) Aug 26, 2012

You are most welcome. Hope you get lots of blooms.

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Beach_Barbie Kure Beach, NC(Zone 9a) Aug 26, 2012

I know I've done that; killed plants with kindness. Just ask any orchid I've managed to kill......;)
Barb

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