How to care for Endless Summer hydrangeas
An introduction to the care and cultivation techniques for Endless Summer hydrangeas, here are the details for you to follow.
Hydrangeas come in many varieties, which is partly why they are so loved by gardening enthusiasts. Although hydrangeas have only been introduced to China for less than ten years, their popularity has led to the development of many new varieties.
Among these, Endless Summer is one that is highly planted and has unique care requirements. It has a longer blooming period than many other hydrangeas and is famous for its abundant flowers, blooming even before summer officially begins.
If you want your Endless Summer to burst into bloom next month, follow these five steps for proper care!
One, choose the right potting soil
Endless Summer has fleshy roots that are prone to issues with waterlogging, so it's important to provide ample growing space for the roots, making a large flower pot the best choice for these plants.
Additionally, the soil for Endless Summer should be loose and fertile. Generally, after repotting, it's a good idea to spread a layer of slow-release fertilizer on top of the soil to encourage the roots to grow stronger and faster, possibly even flowering in spring.
Two, ensure soft lighting and provide shade
Endless Summer can take up a lot of space indoors, so many gardeners with yards grow them outside for more abundant blooms. However, they are not well-suited to direct sunlight. Observing their leaves, which are broad and thin, you can see that they can easily be damaged by strong sunlight. Therefore, it's best to provide soft lighting and take advantage of the gentle spring sunlight, then start shading them as summer approaches.
Three, keep the soil moist but not waterlogged
While Endless Summer is very susceptible to waterlogging, it doesn't mean it doesn't need watering. Due to its rapid growth, a lack of timely water supply can affect its growth.
Water the plant without causing waterlogging, choosing to water in the morning or evening during summer. At other times, water thoroughly when the potting soil feels dry.
Four, ensure sufficient fertilization
During the growing season, don't forget to fertilize Endless Summer, as this directly affects the number of flowers it produces. Starting now, you can apply a compound fertilizer every two weeks, switching to potassium phosphate a month before blooming, about every 10 days, which will result in a large number of flowers.
Five, prune promptly after flowering
Endless Summer blooms only once a year, but many experienced gardeners can manipulate it to bloom twice by pruning after flowering.
Once the flowers start to wilt, they are not far from decline. This is when you should cut them off, removing the spent flowers from above the branches, ensuring a consistent bloom for the next flowering cycle.
By following these five steps, achieving an abundant bloom with Endless Summer will become much easier. When the flowering season arrives, enjoy the large flower balls that will appear. Do you enjoy growing Endless Summer?
The above details on how to care for Endless Summer hydrangeas and related cultivation techniques should help you!