Kenosha News

Trumpet vines need to mature

Question: I have a question about some trumpet vines we have planted. We planted them around our fence three years ago. They are growing like crazy but there’s not a flower in sight. They get plenty of sun and seem very healthy, but we were really hoping for some flowers. Should we be cutting them back? We are happy they are spreading along our chain link fence line. — C.T.

Answer: Believe it or not, plants have juvenile and adult phases. Juvenile plants grow rapidly but are unable to form flowers and fruits. At some point, plant genes responsible for flowering switch on and the plant enters its adult phase. The juvenile time period in annual flowers and vegetables is very short. In trees, fruit trees, shrubs and some vines, it can take years for the plant to reach adult phase. Trumpet vine (Campsis radicans) may need five to six years before it is mature enough to bloom.

Rich or highly fertile soil is another reason your trumpet vine might not bloom. Trumpet vines grow best in poor-quality soil. If the soil is too rich with compost and/or fertilizer, it will grow lots of leaves and vines but no flowers. Never fertilize trumpet vine.

Trumpet vine blooms on new growth and develops suckers from the ground near the mother plant. You can cut the vines back drastically to a few buds (1-2 feet tall) in spring without doing any harm. Once your trumpet vines begin flowering, you can encourage rebloom in late summer by deadheading (pruning off the developing fruits).

Question: Our rhubarb used to thrive. Now we only get one picking in spring and it doesn’t keep producing. What can we do to revive it? — S.C.

Answer: Sounds like your rhubarb needs to be divided. Dig up your plant next spring before the new shoots come up. Shake the soil off so you can see what you are doing. Cut the roots into sections with a minimum of one large bud per section. Work compost or composted manure into the planting bed. Replant the sections 3 to 4 feet apart with the bud 2 inches below ground level. Wait one year for the new plants to establish before harvesting.

E-mail Barb Larson at barbara.larson@ces.uwex.edu or call her at 262-857-1942.

SqlXml execution failed. [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Incorrect syntax near the keyword 'and'. <156> [Microsoft][ODBC SQL Server Driver][SQL Server]Statement(s) could not be prepared. <8180>