My Red Hot Poker has never flowered!

I started it from seed many years ago.One plant flowered once. I found the same plant growing all over the yard (apparently the seed got scattered somehow)so I dug them all up and put them together under some dappled shade and afternoon sun area. It is still a clump of those v-shaped leaves that are serrated on the edges. Those ARE the right leaves right? A bit thick towards the v part. They are pretty long18" or so. Going on 5-6 years and no Pokers!! Other than putting them out in full sun what else can I do? Could it be they aren't them and perhaps just that one that flowered died a long time ago?

At this point,I would either transplant them to different spot or replace them with something else.If you are not getting the results you desire and you have waited 5 years.Its time too do something? They are not happy,something got to change.You could always start over and try new plants or seeds if you really want or like the plant.If I had to guess,they are either not getting enough sun or your soil needs ammended.Edge

Poker (Kniphopia) are definitely full sun. I have mine in full sun and even at that it took 2 years to get a bud. You are correct on the foliage. And don't worry about moving them...I've moved mine twice now and they are fine. You are probably aware that (at least here in zone 6b) they do not flower for long....maybe three weeks tops. But they are striking when in flower.

This message was edited Jun 10, 2009 8:22 AM

In response to Lady Beetle I wanted to share my experience in Zone 8 NW Austin TX.

I moved to Cedar Park in 2004. I also have a patch of Red Hot Poker plants - only 1 was large at that time and bloomed for maybe 3 or 4 years. I was very excited every Spring for the bloom is spectacular. I'm attaching a picture. My lighting also was dappled and I haven't had a bloom since 2007. I too questioned why? We had much rain in March '07- well over our normal. The large plant is no longer there and what I have left still appear to be juvenile. I was hoping I would see a bloom this year. No luck. I understand this plant is from Africa and in my situation my lighting has changed. It's still dappled but receives more light than when it bloomed in '04' 05 '06.

When plants aren't performing I have had good experience in moving them. Unfortuantely it takes a whole season is see the results and that means time. If the situation isn't better within 2 years it's time to make another move. Researching the plants needs and your local conditions will help you make a better choice as to what they might be lacking.

Thank you for reminding me that I too need to research this problem. Look forward to reading future posts especially those from Texas.

Hey Everyone! I got ONE BLOOM! I moved my Pokers and sure enough one finally bloomed. I was SO excited! Now, its going through that drying stage and the rest are the same...no pokers. So, moving them to the middle of the yard where they receive all day sun might have been the ticket!

Congrats!

I read somewhere (sorry, can't for the life of me remember where) that a lack of sufficient water in the early spring 'flower setting' period will cause them not to flower. One knipophia always bloomed but all the rest stopped after 1 or 2 years.

The northern California drought has resulted in very little rain after January for the past several years. Giving them a good weekly soaking at this early stage and into the spring resulted in a profusion of blooms. I also have a couple in large containers which started performing again with more water.

Mine technically aren't in full sun but get most of the mid to late afternoon sun and do just fine. Depending on how full the oak trees are, one of them is actually pretty shaded but it blooms right along with the rest.

As showy as they are when in bloom I think they take up an inordinate amount of space for something that's really only spectacular for 10 - 14 days out of the year. But the City of Emeryville has STUNNING gigantic ones in their center traffic divider strips that put on an incredible show every year and I always drive by just to admire them.