I moved my Baptisia last year. They bloomed this year but there are no pods. Any ideas?
It is most likely just adjusting to the move and may not produce any seeds this year or even next year. This article should help explain the patience that baptisia sometimes requires
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/growing-baptisia-plants.htm
I live in northern NJ and want to plant a Baptisia established plant from a gallon container purchased at a nursery. When is the right time to plant? Summer? Wait until September? Thanks
The question is which is worse, leaving a potentially root-bound plant in its container or planting something in summer heat. Baptisia has a taproot and should be planted before the taproot starts circling the bottom of the container. Water the plant well a day ahead of time. Loosen all encircling roots and try to straighten (gently!) the taproot. Make sure your hole is dug deeply enough to accommodate it. Water well. Concoct some shade with a cloth or leaf bag or whatever is on hand. It should have afternoon shade for up to a week. Mulch. Water all the way through fall; roots that go into winter dehydrated are much more likely to succumb to winter kill. More information here: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/moving-a-baptisia-plant.htm
Hi! The article says that false wild indigo was used as a dye by early European settlers in America before true indigo became more available. The specific truth is that only the roots of the yellow false indigo, baptisia sphaerocarpa, were used to make dye. The other species don't provide any dye. I once worked as a history interpreter for an early settlement and it was embarrassing to one day find out that our large garden of baptisia australis, the blue false indigo, was not the plant that was used. I feel like you might want to clarify this point for your readers, in case anyone should presume as we once did, that the blue plant was what gave blue dye.
That link goes to the Better Homes and Gardens website, of which we have no control, but we also have it cited here:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/growing-baptisia-plants.htm
I will bring it to the attention of our editor. Thanks for letting us know!
Hi. I planted two baptisia (False blue indigo) plants on a northern facing back wall of our house in Harrisburg PA four years ago. Neither of them have ever bloomed. Each year they send up a good bit of foliage. One flops a little and the other stands upright. During the summer they get full sun during the day - mid-morning to evening. During the winter, they don't get any sun, but I've cut the foliage down to the ground in the fall after it died back. I'm not sure what the problem is. I have two theories for why they aren't blooming: 1. lack of sufficient sunlight in early spring when the sun isn't quite overhead yet and 2. insufficient phosphate in the clay soil (i did a soil test and our soil is low in phosphate). By now, they seem established and to have grown sufficient taproots that keep them coming back every year. Any thoughts on why they aren't blooming? Should I give up on them and rip them out? Should I keep waiting and hope they'll finally bloom in year 5 or 6? Thanks!
Your soil test reveals the issue at hand! A lack of phosphorus on the soil will halt the blooming process. Here are some articles that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/phosphorus-plant-growth.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/bone-meal-fertilizer.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/growing-baptisia-plants.htm
Planted about 4 yrs ago. Now about 4' tall and 5' wide. This year it has long with leaves only toward end of branches and falling over. What to do? It is a warm and humid July in Georgia.
This could indicate that it does not get quite enough light, or that it may not have been planted quite deep enough.
These articles will help you to know what to do next, and how to care for them to their potential:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/growing-baptisia-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/moving-a-baptisia-plant.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/cutting-back-baptisia.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia
We have a well established mature Baptisia that in the last 2 years has had few flowers and the ones it has are bi-color, indigo and yellow. The foliage is very lush and healthy.
This is what is known as a "sport"! This is a genetic misshap, but will not usually harm your plants. Here is an article that will help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/info/plant-sport-mutations.htm
The plants are new this year. It has been very hot and dry the last few weeks. I have been watering them because of the dryness. They have mulch around them also. I don't know how to send you a picture.
Unfortunately, without photos, I will only be able to take a few guesses at what could be the issue.
To me, this sounds like overwatering in compensation for heat. The soil should still dry out down to about 3 or 4 inches, thoroughly, between waterings to avoid rot.
If these were planted in the heat, then they are likely going to have a very hard time getting established. This will be best done in Fall and Spring.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/baptisia/page/2