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mock orange
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Posted by flossieann 8 GA (My Page) on Sun, Jun 28, 09 at 20:37
| Doe sanyone know if the mock orange sets it's blooms for the following year by July of the year before? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: mock orange
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| Has yours already finished blooming? They're just starting here. Mock orange (Philadelphus) blooms on the prior year's growth, so prune immediately after the blooming period. On stems that have just finished flowering, prune off growth above where you see outer-facing buds. Also prune off any dead, badly-positioned or ill-formed branches if you want to do a little extra clean-up. |
RE: mock orange
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| Thanks so much for the info. One problem, it hasn't bloomed at all this year (or last year). Last year I cut it back in the spring so I understand now why it didn't bloom but this year I haven't touched it and it is as high as the eaves of the house. I would like to prune it but I'm scared too. I think I keep cutting it back after it's set it's blooms for the following year but it gets so high and unruly if it's not pruned. The plant seems to be putting all the strength into the greenery and none into the blooms. I'll take your advice when pruning it, thanks again. |
RE: mock orange
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| You're welcome. If your mock orange is a mature one and overgrown, you can probably start taking out one-third of it. Prune out one-third of the oldest branches right down to the ground. Do this over a three year period, each year taking out another one third of the oldest branches. If wildly overgrown, you can even do some drastic rejuvenation pruning - if you do it before it starts putting out new growth in the spring. Prune the whole thing down to the ground - or to a point where you're comfortable. It won't bloom that year, but it'll put out all kinds of new growth from the bottom up. We don't have the long growing season here that you do. Mine tends to stay in the 6' range and I just have to lop off a dead branch here and there. On the bright side, they're tough and hard to kill. |
RE: mock orange
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| Thanks again. I never would have thought of pruning drastically in thirds but it makes sense since the plant would be a lot more likely to accept it that way (little at a time). I don't think I would dare cut it all the way to the ground although I don't know why because I do it every year with hydrangeas, I cut it down to about two feet last year (but I don't remember what time of year it was) and now it's a good ten feet high and growing like a weed. It amazes me because it doesn't get nearly as much attention as some of the other plants because of the location. It goes long periods without water and then gets deluged every time it rains also because of its location. I'll wait until fall and if it hasn't bloomed by then I'll try that reducing it by a third. I'm feeding it Miracle Gro bloom booster but there's not a sign of a bud, just loads of new leaves. Thanks so much for the advice. |
RE: mock orange
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| Stop the fertilizer - an established shrub or tree simply does not need it. You're forcing the plant into expending all its energy into leaf production. |
RE: mock orange
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- Posted by brandon7 6b (like 7b now) TN (My Page) on
Wed, Jul 1, 09 at 16:26
| Ditto everything that duluthinbloomz4 wrote, including the part about pruning the whole thing completely down to the ground. It will actually look better if pruned all the way down near the ground than if you only gave it a serious haircut. You may not want to do this every year, but every few years sure wouldn't hurt. It actually reinvigorates the shrub. |
RE: mock orange
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| Thanks so much to you both. I'll stop the fertilizer and if it doesn't bloom in the fall (I had one at my former home that bloomed spring and fall) I'll cut a third of it down to the ground and see what happens in the spring. Your help is very much appreciated, happy 4th! |
Coral Honey Suckle
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| I got your message. I am in Patterson, where are you located? You can see my list at jerryngeorgia31557 I am looking for an evergreen vine. Thanks. |
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