You are likely placing me in a location that is too dark. As a plant, I am an autotroph; I rely entirely on sunlight to convert into the chemical energy (photosynthates) required for all my functions, especially the highly energetically expensive process of reproduction—flowering. If I do not receive a minimum of 4-6 hours of direct, bright sunlight daily, my system will prioritize survival over reproduction. I will allocate my limited energy reserves to producing leaves and roots, not flower buds. Without ample light, the hormonal signals that initiate blooming simply cannot be triggered.
Your timing and method of pruning may be inadvertently removing my flowering potential. I form my flower buds on mature, well-established wood, not on the fresh, new green shoots. If you prune me heavily in late winter or spring, you are likely cutting off the stems that were preparing to bloom. The correct time to prune me is immediately after my main flowering flush has ended. This gives me the entire remaining growing season to produce new growth, which will then mature, harden, and be ready to set buds for the following year.
The fertilizer you are using might be telling me to grow leaves, not flowers. High-nitrogen fertilizers promote vigorous vegetative growth—lush, green leaves and stems. While this might make me look healthy, it directs all my energy away from blooming. To encourage flowers, I require a fertilizer with a higher middle number (Phosphorus), such as a 7-9-5 formula. Phosphorus is crucial for energy transfer and is a key component in stimulating flower and root development. An excess of nitrogen suppresses flowering, so please feed me a balanced, bloom-boosting fertilizer during my active growing season.
My root system is sensitive to both drought and saturation. Underwatering causes me immense stress; I will wilt and drop buds to conserve water for essential life processes. Overwatering is equally detrimental, as it suffocates my roots, leading to root rot. Damaged roots cannot effectively uptake water or nutrients, which again forces me into survival mode, halting all flowering efforts. I need consistently moist, but never soggy, soil. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out slightly between waterings to ensure my roots have access to both water and oxygen.
If I am a variety like Jasminum polyanthum, I require a period of cooler rest. During the winter, I need several weeks of cooler temperatures (around 40-50°F or 5-10°C) and reduced watering. This cooler, drier period mimics my natural environmental cycle and is a critical cue for me to cease vegetative growth and prepare for bud formation. If I am kept constantly warm and wet year-round, my internal clock becomes confused, and I may not receive the clear signal that it is time to shift my energy from growth to flowering.
