Hypericum frondosum 'Sunburst' problem

We have several mature plants at work, all of which bloom profusely. Last year, while working in that bed, I found and removed a seedling. Last summer it didn't flower, but I wrote that off to the age of the plant, and the fact that it was probably in transplant shock. At the end of the summer, I found another seedling, and took it home. They over-wintered fine in 1gal pots, and I put them in the ground about a month ago. I also found four more seedlings this spring. They're in 1gal pots, and doing fine.

This issue:

Of the two plants in the ground, one has been covered in blooms, while the other has not a single bud, but otherwise appears quite healthy and happy. The one without the buds, is the first one found, last year (which didn't bloom then). Of the four plants in pots, while half the size, two are covered in buds/blooms.

The plants in the ground are in the same location, in a mix of 50% river-bottom topsoil, screened 3/8", 25% compost, screened 1/2", and 25% composted manure, screened 1/2". About a month prior to planting, the bed was seasoned with 14-14-14, and each plant received about 1tbs of slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting. Nothing was added to adjust pH, nor has the soil been tested. Everything else in the bed doesn't appear stressed about anything (Brunnera, Impatiens, perennial ferns), so I don't think it's an environment issue.

The first thing that comes to mind, for me, after the age of the plant being ruled out (it seems 50% of the same-year crop doesn't flower), is sex. I've found absolutely no information about H. frondosum being either male or female (and the plants at work all bloom). Am I just looking in the wrong places?

If that's the case, I'll simply replace the non-bloomer with one of the two blooming stock plants I have, trash the non-bloomers, and be done with it, next spring. But, I'd really like to be unpuzzled. =)

Hypericum doesn't have the sexes on separate plants. And even if it did, the males would flower too they just wouldn't make fruit/seeds. It may just need some time...I have a different species of Hypericum in my front yard. They were planted in November of 2006 (all small plants, no idea if they were grown from seeds or cuttings but I'm sure they weren't much bigger than your seedlings). In 2007, none of them bloomed. This year, I'd say about half of them are blooming but half still aren't. Since they seem to be following the first year they sleep, 2nd year they creep, 3rd year they leap rule, I wouldn't rip them out yet.

Thanks, ecrane (sheesh you're everywhere! =) ).

I didn't think it was a sex thing. The plan was to wait to see if it blooms next year and if not, replace it. That would be that plant's third season (and third strike, as it were, HEH). I'll stick with the plan. =)

Cheers,
Eggs

LOL! I'm really not everywhere...I guess you and I must just like the same forums!

all 231 !

LOL! I think there might be one or two out there that I don't really pay too much attention to :-)

As to the issue of when a seedling blooms - that's the beauty of genetic diversity. Every seedling can behave differently.

As to the issue of male versus female: I think Hypericum as a genus sports perfect flowers, meaning both the staminate and pistillate parts are present in the flower. No separation by sexes.

That was my understanding about Hypericum, too. But, I just found it strange that 50% of the plants I found last season flowered, and then 50% that I found this season flowered. Coincidence, I guess. =)

And, I gotta agree. The flowers *are* perfect, with the bluish foilage. =D