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Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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Posted by pennyw74 Sydney/NSW (My Page) on Tue, Jan 1, 08 at 19:24
| I have a Grevillea "Cherry Ripe" in a pot in native potting mix and in full sun.
About two weeks ago, it seemed to be covered in flowers. They were forming on all the little branches (it's around 25cm high).
I have had it in the pot for about two months.
None of the flowers eventuated. Some of them have just gone brown and died off.
What does this mean? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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You're having a bad time, aren't you Penny? Have you been fertilising? If you have been, stop it at once! As Mallee points out in reply to your banksia question, fertiliser can be poisonous to some natives, expecially those in the Proteaceae family, which include banksias, grevilleas and waratahs.
Some people fertilise those plants with a special native fertiliser, which, if sparingly used, can hurry up young plants a bit. However there's no real need to fertilise native plants at all.
If you have fertilised your potted grevillea it may be possible to flush some of the excess phosphorus out of the soil by lifting the pot so the water can run out the bottom easily, and then watering generously.
Mallee's other point about poor quality water is another good one. Have you been using water polluted with detergent? If you are in a position to use rainwater only on your Proteaceae it's a good idea. Can you use bore or townwater where you are? If you are restricted to greywater, you could try keeping a jug beside the sink where you put the detergent-free water (such as the rinse-water from the teapot).
Trish |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| Thanks for your help. I have not fertilised, although the native potting mix did have some slow release native fertiliser, low in phosphorus. I have not added anything further. I am aware of how fertiliser affects natives, so don't do it. I only use water from the tap, nothing added, no detergent and it's not grey water. I could drink the water. So...any further advice? |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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We're coming to the end of the possibilities, Penny!
Could you have overwatered? Have you been letting the soil get dry to the touch before you water it again? (You should have been.)
If it was overwatering, the plant might be difficult to recover by now, as it sounds as though it has a fungal infection which is a thing that can happen to an overwatered plant. I would normally chuck a fungus-infected plant away and start again, but there are people who tell me they have success with fungicides. (I would rather spend my money on a new plant than a bottle of poison anytime, but that's my prejudice.)
Maybe other members will be able to offer more help.
Trish |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| I have had bud drop on Grevilleas when the temps are too hot....? |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| Hi freetibet... Thats strange what do you call hot as I live in a rather warm climate year round same as Trish above and have no trouble with Grevillea. Then I dont water mine either after a few months in the garden they live off what comes from the sky in the summer wet season this years we are actually getting a little rain for a change the past six years we have had drought conditions.. Is yours in a pot or the garden ? |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| It is mainly a problem with potted Grevilleas. Possibly something to do with the compararative length of seasons in the UK. Flowers often set in the cooler months, but as summer turns hot (27-30C - don't laugh at that definition of "hot"!) the plants seem to get stressed. I have noticed that a longer spell of "spring" or "autumn" weather usually leads to less problems with bud drop. Perhaps it is to do with getting cool nights. I grow in pots mainly. When planted out I have not seen this problem, but then again onyl the toughest ones will survive outdoors in the UK... Rob. |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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Hi Rob...Because Australia is such a vast area with different climate zones I can understand what you are saying.
You see I only grow the Grevillea endemic to my area like the Grevillea banksii *White* Flowers annually early October 2nd month of Spring. 
Grevillea banksii *Red* Flowers repeatly during the year 
And Grevillea Pteridifolia it flowers annually in early September Spring here. 
They are suited to warmer climates and can handle plenty of humidity...None of these Grevilleas are hybrids actually they are parent or parents of a few of the hybrids bred today, now what I am saying is perhaps your Grevillea is not suited to your climate there, do you know the name of your plants.. Mary-Anne |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| I have grown a range of different Grevillea over the years, and the bud-drop seems fairly consistent no matter where they come from - rapid warming up after cooler weather seems to stress plants in pots and induce bud drop (or as I say, it might be to do with warm nights not allowing enough rest time during the night): Grevillea lanigera Mount Tamboritha (also known as 'Compacta')
Grevillea leucopteris
Grevillea rosmarinifolia (outdoors)
Grevillea 'Fireworks' (outdoors)
Grevillea 'Misty' (uncertain ID - red G. banksii hybrid - maybe 'Misty Red'?)
Grevillea x semperflorens
Grevillea Olympic Flame
Grevillea johnsonii I think all these have had the problem from time to time (none are truly tropical, nor truly arid though). Those in the ground outdoors seem fine. In pots they overwinter in a 40C greenhouse and this compounds the sudden increases in temperature as spring sunshine heats them up markedly after the cold winter. |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| I see Grevillea lanigera comes from the cooler regions of NSW and Vic so 40C degrees would be too warm for it I should imagine. Grevillea rosmarinifolia is another one for the cooler climate seems they are both grown in your country Grevillea "Misty Pink" is a hybrid between G.banksii and G.sessilis.
Both native to Queensland and may need the warmer conditions though 40C may be too high also. I cannot find any reference to the others though I am sure you know all about them perhaps they are breed where you are and are more suited to your climate. I am sorry I cannot help you with your flower drop problem I would try lowering the temps and see what happens..
Best of luck anyway... Mary-Anne |
RE: Grevillea's flowers die before blooming
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| Sorry, should have been more careful. The 40C should have read 40F (around 2C)! |
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