So, my bleeding heart plant, it just wouldn’t bloom. It was green and leafy, but no flowers. I was bummed, so I started digging around to figure out what was up.
Figuring Out the Problem
First, I checked the basics. Was it getting enough sun? Bleeding hearts like partial shade, especially in the afternoon. Mine was in a spot that got morning sun and afternoon shade, so that seemed okay.
Next, I thought about water. I tend to underwater things, I’m a bit forgetful that way. So, I gave it a good, deep watering. I also made sure the soil was draining well. Bleeding hearts don’t like soggy feet.
Then I considered the soil. My soil is kinda…blah. So, I mixed in some compost. I figured that would give it a boost of nutrients, improve the drainage and make the plant happier overall.
The Waiting Game (and More Tweaking)
I waited. And waited. Still no flowers. 😞
Then I remembered something! I’d read that bleeding hearts can go dormant in the summer if it gets too hot. Our summers here get pretty warm, and I realized I hadn’t been giving it extra water during the heat waves.
Bingo!
I started watering more frequently when the weather was hot. Just a bit, enough to keep the soil slightly moist, not soaking wet. And guess what? A few weeks later, I saw buds! Finally! And then…those beautiful, heart-shaped flowers.
Here is what I learned and did step by step:
- Checked the sunlight:Made sure my plant was in the correct spot that gets partial shade.
- Upped the watering:Give it more frequent watering, just enough to maintain the soil slightly moist.
- Added compost: I used the compost to amend the soil.
- Stayed patient: The flowers won’t appear immediately, so keep doing the steps above.
It turns out, my bleeding heart was just a little thirsty and needed some extra TLC during the hot weather. Now, it’s blooming like crazy, and I’m so happy I didn’t give up!
