Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Hazel Carey regal pelargonium (Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey').
More about pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey'
About Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey'
Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' · also called Hazel Carey regal pelargonium · flowering
'Hazel Carey' is a regal pelargonium from the popular 'Hazel' series, bearing large ruffled flowers with bold dark feathering and contrasting margins in big trusses. Like all regals it flowers in a concentrated spring-to-early-summer flush on upright, bushy plants with crinkled, slightly sticky leaves. It prefers cool nights and bright filtered light, grown as a tender perennial under glass or on a patio.
Plant type: flowering
Watch for — Single short flush: Regals flower mainly in spring; a cool winter rest at 7-10°C and bright spring light support the strongest display.
The reasons pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' to flower
- Maximise sun. Give pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' and get the feeding right with the pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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
Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' flower?
Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' bloom?
Give pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' normally bloom?
Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' 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 pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' flowering?
Feeding pelargonium x domesticum 'hazel carey' a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Pelargonium x domesticum 'Hazel Carey' 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 2023 bloom guides in the Growli library