Unleashing the magic of flowers: How to encourage your plants to bloom

 Flowering – a longed-for triumph for every gardener, be it a seasoned professional or a novice. It is the reward we strive for when choosing our plants. Yet sometimes, despite all the care, they simply refuse to bloom. It is not uncommon to see plants that do not bloom and this can happen for a variety of reasons. These include lighting conditions, watering, temperature and a number of other factors that play a crucial role in the flowering process. For example, plants such as Sansevieria, Lucky Bamboo or Monstera deliciosa are known for their stunning leaves, but few know that they also have the potential to bloom. 

Why aren’t my plants blooming? 

There are many factors that can affect the lack of flowers on your plants, but the first step is to identify the type of plant and understand its ideal needs, including its age. Plants do not flower until they reach a certain level of maturity. Some may take years before producing their first flowers, which highlights the importance of knowingly considering each individual species. The main factors that affect plant flowering are:

1. Poor lighting:  Each plant has specific light requirements. If a plant that needs a lot of light is kept in the shade, it is unlikely to flower, and vice versa.
2. Temperature:  Extremely low temperatures can damage plants’ buds or cause flowers to wilt quickly. It is crucial to select plants that are adapted to the climate of your region.
3. Watering:  Plants that dry out will never have enough energy to flower. On the other hand, too much water can cause the plants to die or the development of fungi that inhibit flowering.
4. Nutrient deficiency:  Like any other living thing, plants need the right nutrients to thrive. If these nutrients are lacking, plants may stop growing, fail to bloom, or even die. An excess of nutrients can also be harmful.
5. Pests or diseases:  Insects can weaken plants by diverting the energy needed for flowering. It is essential to keep plants free of pests such as scale insects or ants that can attack them.

Preparing a flowering-promoting fertilizer 

Lack of nutrients is one of the reasons why your plants may not be flowering. Nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium are crucial to promote flowering, and this is where fertilizers come in by providing easily assimilable substances to plants. To help your plants bloom faster and more abundantly, you will need two ingredients: 50 grams of fresh ginger and half a cinnamon stick. Chop the ginger into small pieces and grind it together with the cinnamon. You can do this in a blender or food processor. Once you have obtained a moist and homogeneous mixture, place it in a glass jar with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. To prepare the fertilizer, mix half a teaspoon of the ginger-cinnamon mixture in a liter of water. Let it rest for a few hours and then use the solution to water the plants that are not flowering. Fresh ginger, in small quantities, is an excellent ally for plants because it is a rich source of potassium, a nutrient crucial for flowering, and its scent repels insects. Cinnamon can stimulate root growth and is very useful against plant fungi, which are often the cause of the lack of flowers.