Plants Produce Striking Out-of-Season
Blooms After Ike
Dr. William M. Johnson, County Extension Agent-Horticulture
Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Galveston County Office
5115 Highway 3
Dickinson, Texas 77539
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I have received
numerous calls asking “Why did crabapple trees put on a full flush
of flowers after Hurricane Ike struck?” The answer is that such
plants were “confused” as to what time of the year it was.
Plants do not have
the benefit of referring to a 12-month calendar as we humans do,
seeing that it is mid-March and thus it’s time to bloom. Plants must
rely on other indicators (including their internal clocks) to tell
them what season it is and what they should be doing. This normally
works exceedingly well in most seasons and under most conditions.
In most cases, plants
that flower out-of-season are under stress of some sort. Extended
periods of drought during the summer followed by ample rains
(especially if accompanied by cooler temperatures) is the most
common source of stress in our growing area. |
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Several types of plants produced a striking but out-of-season full
flush of blooms after the arrival of Hurricane Ike. I’ve seen apple and
peach trees in full bloom—but only a few here and there. However,
crabapple trees were in full bloom across the county. Over the past
twenty years, I can only recall seeing crabapples in full-bloom across
the county on three occasions—and then only in the spring which is their
normal time to set blooms.
We had experienced a
series of moderately dry weather conditions before the arrival of
Hurricane Ike. Hurricane Ike delivered its bands of rain in addition to
rainfall received after a cool front that graced the area. Then
temperatures were pleasantly cool for several days. That chain of events
was enough to confuse some plants into “thinking” it was spring and thus
it must be time to bloom.
The other question I
receive is “Will these plants bloom well next spring?” In regard to
peaches, apples and other fruit trees, the short answer is probably not
as much as they normally would. Since putting forth a full flush of
blooms draws down the energy reserves of plants, you will likely see a
reduction in bloom next spring.
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This web site is maintained
by Master Gardener Laura Bellmore, under the direction of William M.
Johnson, Ph.D., County Extension Agent-Horticulture & Master Gardener
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