Flower Balling / RHS Gardening

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Flower balling RHS Advice Guide The fully-developed buds of double flowers, such as roses and peonies, sometimes fail to open. This problem is known as ‘balling’ and usually occurs in wet weather conditions. However, it is possible to rescue some of the affected flowers.

By The RHS Advice Team

• Quick facts
• What is flower balling?
• Appearance
• Control

Quick facts

Common name - Flower balling

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Plants affected - Roses, peonies and camellias

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Main symptoms - Flower buds turn brown and fail to open

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Main causes - Wet, shady conditions

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Timing - Spring and summer

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What is flower balling?

Flower balling is a disorder in which flower buds A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. develop normally but do not open. But what is the cause? Cool, wet weather saturates the outer petals and then the sunshine dries and fuses them into a tight, papery shell, preventing the bud A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. from opening.

Appearance

Flower-balling is characterised by the following appearance:

• The bud A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. often feels soft and slimy to the touch; and then the outer petals turn brown, becoming dry and crisp in places
• When the outer petals are prized apart, the inner petals appear normal
• The bud may drop off or, if it hangs on the plant, grey mould may develop and cause it to rot
• Thin-petalled, double flowers A type of flower that has extra petals, often having a fuller appearance. Plants with double flowers are often considered more ornamental and showy than those with single flowers, though they are generally not as good for wildlife, having little or no pollen. Some plants naturally produce double flowers, while others may be bred for this trait. Examples of plants with double flowers include roses, sunflowers, dahlias, and zinnias. such as rose, peony and camellia cultivars are most susceptible to this condition

Control

Non chemical

• Good air circulation is crucial to dry the buds A bud is a small, undeveloped shoot that contains the potential for new growth. Buds are typically found on stems, where they can be apical (found at the tip) or axillary (found between leaf axils) and may develop into leaves, shoots or flowers. quickly. When planting roses, choose an open site (but not exposed). With existing plantings, increase ventilation The introduction of outdoor air into a space, for example, a greenhouse. This airflow can reduce temperature, replenish the gases absorbed by plants and keep down fungal diseases like grey moulds. by pruning correctly; staking peonies; and cutting back overhanging shrubs or trees
• Water plants in the evening, avoiding hot, sunny conditions, and always direct water at the base of plants rather than the foliage and flowers
• In certain situations, it may be feasible to construct a temporary shelter over the whole plant or individual buds to protect them from rain
• Remove balled buds promptly before grey mould sets in as it can infect other blooms or nearby plants and cause dieback of stems
• Replacement of repeat offenders is sometimes the only remedy. Modern cultivars particularly of roses are said to be less affected

Chemical

There are no chemicals treatments for this disorder.

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