I had this last year as an understory plant and it bloomed like crazy until the first frost. So...bought about 10 of them this year and placed by the pool (full sun) since PlantFiles said "Sun to part shade." I've had them in the ground now since March(covered them for each freeze) and only have a few sparse blooms.
Any ideas as to why they are not performing? Of course they were gorgeous when I bought them....hothouse effect?
Ixora 'Maui Red' not blooming...
I suspect they're just not established yet. A lot of the time when you first plant something it'll lose most if not all of its blooms, they like to focus on getting their roots going first and putting energy into flowers is actually not a good thing, it's better for them to put their energy into the roots. And then you throw a little bit of cold stress on top of that (even though you protected it during freezes, I'm sure you had some other nights in there that weren't exactly the tropical paradise these plants are used to!) So I'd be patient with them and give them a little time to get settled in before you worry that something's wrong.
Thanks, ecrane! Looks like most people have finished their taxes and have gone to mail them, I guess. Not much action here, huh? haha
It has been a little slower lately, hadn't thought about the tax thing but that definitely could be it! I finished mine ages ago...anytime I'm getting a refund I always get them in as soon as I can, but any year that I owe them money then I wait until the last minute! LOL
Connie, I certainly don't have answers but I know they are finicky about temps. I have tried for many years to overwinter mine in the garage and have NEVER had good results. They just die on me! LOL That's the only tropical that I lose.
Read the comments here, says temps of 40* so maybe that is the problem?? http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/160035/
I think ixoras are a totally warm climate plant. They don't really kick in blooming for me until the temps hit the high 80's, at least for me. I have had a bunch in the grhouse all winter and they maybe have some buds on them-i haven't even looked. I think when it gets really hot for you on a consistent basis they will do their thing. They are great bloomers though-aren't they?
I guess I"m being a little hasty...wanting blooms around the pool....but will wait a while longer before pulling them out and returning to Home Depot! (LOVE that store...they take back ANY plants within a year, and I bought those Ixora in February). Now that I think of it..I was real stupid to buy them that early, but I had a party and wanted everything to look "planted" at that time.
Hi,
I am glad they do well outside in your zone. In my zone, on covered patio, they still don't like our winters. They do like 'acidic food' and warm temps to bloom.
I just removed 23 ixora bushes from my front yard. The simple reason - they need too much fertilizer for me. The soil is so poor here. So, one word - fertilize.
Wow...did you buy all those or somehow propagate? I'm going to fert. with the acidic fert and see what happens...
They were planted when my home was built three years ago. I am not a fan! They'll look great if you keep the fertilizer coming. Oh yeah, every year ours are covered with "rust" spots & soot fungus.
Well, the ones I had in the containers last year were gorgeous! I really don't remember if I "poured" the fert to them, but then I usually pot things in "Miracle Gro soil, so that is packed with the stuff! Thanks for the suggestion...I'll try it!