Short Burst & Long Burst Flower Bud

by Richard Chew

In this posting I like to share some of the blooms that I have experience in my garden while I experimented with my fertilizing.

Short Burst Flower Bud

Short Burst Flower is my definition to describe a way the rose plant develop its flower bud.

It produces strong growth, but very little energy is channeled for stem and leaves development. In fact all of its energy is channeled for flower development instead. In the picture below you can see the bud stem develop without leaves (or very small leaves), and its stem growth is unusually short before it begins flower bud development. The stem growth length is usually up to about 5cm.
















However the flower buds are quite well developed when it opens. Though the petal count seems lesser, the petals are quite well developed.

My assumption of getting Short Burst is knowing the timing of fertilizing, pruning and dosage of fertilizer applied. If the routine is altered, it changes its growth stage.

I find that Short Burst is good if I want repeat flowering without the rose plant being too "leggy". The only setback is that it may be harmful to rose plant in the long run, as this method doesn't promote new leaves development. I reckon if the rose plant has healthy bush, then attempting Short Burst won't do any harm.

The next thing that I like to share is the Long Burst. Long Burst is my definition to describe extreme stem growth with little leaves development. Its 'child' stem thickness is almost equal to 'parent' stem thickness.





The stems with young red leaves are the new stems growth. The picture above is considered as 'semi' Long Burst. However the 'extreme' Long Burst would be like the picture below. The stem growth is fast (accelerating growth); all its energy seemingly is channeled for stem development alone.




No leaves are developed at all unlike the 'semi' version. And its energy for flower bud development is conserved untill the end when the stem completes it growth cycle.

The picture below is the flower bud fully developed. The flower bud size is larger.





As it opens, the higher petals number are quite noticeable.

I reckon that going for Long Burst has its advantages too. If I want to have a fuller shrub with more stronger stems, then going for Long Burst helps to develop a more balanced shrub size. Of course there are additional work need to be done to ensure it spreads evenly, that is to peg/train the stems/canes.










***