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Kniphofia not flowering but looks healthy… ?
Hello…
I bought a kniphofia (papaya popsicle) plant last year, in flower. I planted it in the garden and then, in spring, I dug it out and left it in a pot for a month whilst I dug over the soil and added soil improver. When I dug it out it clearly had been thriving based on how much the roots had grown.
Since planting back in the ground it has put on a lot of green growth but no signs of flowers. My soil is heavy clay but I don’t think this is the problem. It looks healthy.
I bought a kniphofia (papaya popsicle) plant last year, in flower. I planted it in the garden and then, in spring, I dug it out and left it in a pot for a month whilst I dug over the soil and added soil improver. When I dug it out it clearly had been thriving based on how much the roots had grown.
Since planting back in the ground it has put on a lot of green growth but no signs of flowers. My soil is heavy clay but I don’t think this is the problem. It looks healthy.
What could be the problem? Will tomato feed help?
It’s planted in a sunny spot, was watered during dry spells and hasn’t been directly fed (though I did add some composted manure and soil improver/organic compost to the soil to help with drainage).
Here is a photo (the flower heads are from the liatris spicata planted behind)

It’s planted in a sunny spot, was watered during dry spells and hasn’t been directly fed (though I did add some composted manure and soil improver/organic compost to the soil to help with drainage).
Here is a photo (the flower heads are from the liatris spicata planted behind)

Thanks
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I have popsicle, and split mine last year and moved them, and they're not yet flowering this year. I wouldn't expect the division to flower at all, but it might. The original plant will be later.
Heavy clay certainly isn't the best for them, especially if you're in a wetter area, but if you're improving the soil that'll help. They're best in a sunny site, with free draining soil
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
@Fairygirl - they seem fine in the soil, they are listed by the RHS as plants suitable for clay soil:
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?PID=305
Clay is an excellent growing medium, and that's what I have here, but in colder, wetter areas like this, it takes longer to dry out and warm up, and therefore isn't good for that type of plant, unless it's amended well enough. In a warmer, drier area, it doesn't create the same problem.
Mine are in raised beds against house walls or fences, with loads of compost, so that the clay is really well adjusted and is freer draining.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
All the other plants you mention also prefer better drainage, and will struggle with clay which is wet and heavy, so that may explain why they've not done too well either.
It does require a bit of effort to get it in better nick, but it makes it easier to grow a wider range of plants, and have them thriving. If you make your own compost, that's also a great soil conditioner, and adding compost regularly to your beds and borders will gradually improve the structure. Any organic matter added each year will help, and having plenty of plants in a border also helps take up excess moisture, especially if you have some trees and shrubs.
I still can't do anything about temperatures, or what falls from the sky all year round, but at least I can mitigate it a fair bit by addressing the soil condition, and then I can grow plants which would struggle here otherwise
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
We've had a drier June than normal here, so we've had to do more watering than usual. July has been pretty standard so far though, with a bit of everything, although quite warm. All part of the challenges in gardening
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Just an update - I saw a flower bud today!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...