what will cause a passion flower to lose its buds and never bloom?

Question

What causes passion flower plants to lose buds and not bloom? We’re in sunny Florida in Bradenton area….lousy soil for the most part.

Answer 1

Is your passion flower getting direct sunlight all day? Is it getting enough water? Have you been fertilizing?

There are four possible reasons your passion flowers are dropping buds and they have to do with pollination, environmental reasons, the soil fertility and thrips. Since you said you had "lousy soil" let's focus on that first. I would recommend applying fertilizers at least four to six weeks prior to the onset of flowering.

I would also like you to examine your passion flower for thrips. Is there any blotching or streaking on the petals? If you do find thrips, there are environmentally safe insecticides, such as Spinosad, that you can use.

For more information on the other causes of bud drop, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/why-healthy-blooms-fall.htm

For more information on thrips, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/controlling-thrips.htm

For more information on growing passion flowers, please visit the following link:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/vines/passion-flower/passion-flower-care.htm