Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum' bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Plume Soft Shield Fern (Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum').

More about polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum'

About Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum'

Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum' · also called Plume Soft Shield Fern · flowering

Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum', the Plume Soft Shield Fern, is a luxuriant evergreen fern whose densely overlapping, finely divided fronds create a soft, mossy, plume-like rosette. Hardy and undemanding in moist shade, it holds its feathery foliage through winter. One of the most refined of the soft shield ferns, prized for its rich texture in woodland and shaded borders.

Plant type: flowering

The reasons polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' to flower

Maximise sun. Give polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' and get the feeding right with the polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' 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

Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum' blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' flower?

Polystichum setiferum 'Plumosum Densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' bloom?

Give polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' 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 polystichum setiferum 'plumosum densum' normally bloom?