How can I get my trumpet vine to bloom?

Just ignore it and watch it take over. Trumpet vine is like a weed and will grow and spread like crazy. I have two uninvited trumpet vines in my yard now and I did nothing. They just showed up. I personally don't care for them, but the humming birds love them so I've decided to let them go and see what happens. Mine showed up last year and they are in bloom right now.

How can I get my trumpet vine to bloom?
If they are too young, they will stay in leaf-growing mode until they mature. You may be preventing maturation if they are getting too much nitrogen fertilizer. Trumpet vines seem to thrive on neglect.....no more food until it preforms/flowers. Also don't keep it lush wet, they like to dry out between waterings.
Reply:Hello,

I have 5 mature vines at this time that are at least 3yrs. old, with 2 of them 8yrs old.

I've given at least 20 away as young plants.



Like others said, DON"T fertilize them at all.

I made that mistake once, and all I got was growth.

Expect at least few flowers soon, mine are just starting now, in zone 5.



Also, realize that the most amount of flowers will come from "new" growth each season.

In the fall, after frost has killed the leaves, I and others here in NO. IL, trim off some vine growth back to within a few inches of the main parent vine.

The next spring, new growth will come from the main vine, plus the previous years' vine growth which was left on the parent "trunk" vine by you.

After a few seasons of pruning out smaller growths, you can shape you main vine to any size range you want.

Please keep in mind that if you grow one one your house, the vines do attach themselves to the siding or what-ever, and will actually pry under your shingles, gutters, power wires.

They can grow to 35 ft high if not kept under control.

Trumpet vines also don't leaf-out as early as many plants.

Mine usually show signs of life in late May or early June.

I cut one down once, thought it was dead?!

When they do leaf-out, you can then also see what growth from last season didn't come back to life.

Just cut off then, if it wasn't done in the fall.



Humming birds love'em, ants seem to help them bloom also for some reason.

One year, I killed off the ants, and didn't have as many flowers.

Hope this helps, and have a great growing season,

Dave
Reply:Just be patient they will bloom. Let the gound dry out. Gardening is so much about patience! It is great when your babies grow up but don't try to force it!