Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Jolly Bee Cranesbill bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Jolly Bee Cranesbill, Jolly Bee Geranium (Geranium 'Jolly Bee').
More about jolly bee cranesbill
About Jolly Bee Cranesbill
Geranium 'Jolly Bee' · also called Jolly Bee Cranesbill, Jolly Bee Geranium · flowering
Geranium 'Jolly Bee' is a vigorous wallichianum-type hybrid (G. wallichianum × G. shikokianum var. yoshiianum) that produces wide, violet-blue flowers with a distinct white eye and dark veins continuously from late spring through to the first autumn frosts. It is closely related to the famous 'Rozanne' and was awarded RHS AGM status. The most important care fact is to dead-head or shear lightly after the first flush to maintain non-stop flowering. ASPCA's 'Geranium' toxic listing refers to Pelargonium; true cranesbills are not confirmed non-toxic by ASPCA, so treat with caution around pets.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Powdery mildew late in season: White powdery coating may develop on older leaves in late summer, especially in dry, warm conditions; cut the plant back hard after the main flush to encourage fresh mildew-free foliage and a new wave of flowers.
The reasons jolly bee cranesbill isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming jolly bee cranesbill traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding jolly bee cranesbill a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get jolly bee cranesbill to flower
- Maximise sun. Give jolly bee cranesbill the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for jolly bee cranesbill and get the feeding right with the jolly bee cranesbill fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Jolly Bee Cranesbill flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full jolly bee cranesbill care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Jolly Bee Cranesbill blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my jolly bee cranesbill flower?
Jolly Bee Cranesbill blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make jolly bee cranesbill bloom?
Give jolly bee cranesbill the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does jolly bee cranesbill normally bloom?
Jolly Bee Cranesbill flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with jolly bee cranesbill after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping jolly bee cranesbill flowering?
Feeding jolly bee cranesbill a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Jolly Bee Cranesbill care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Jolly Bee Cranesbill light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Jolly Bee Cranesbill fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library