How to plant hydrangeas
If you want to know how to plant hydrangeas and the related knowledge of precautions for growing hydrangeas, the following is a detailed introduction:
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs, with their blooming season from May to September every year. The flowers of hydrangeas are colorful and lush, making them ideal for planting in courtyards, corners of walls, and beneath windows, creating a festive atmosphere. The bright colors include blue, pink, red, and more, resembling a sea of blossoming flowers that bloom before one's eyes. Potted hydrangeas placed in spacious indoor areas like living rooms and balconies add to the joyous ambiance and are the perfect flowers to decorate window sills, balconies, and living rooms. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular among flower enthusiasts. So, how can we plant and care for hydrangeas well? Today, I will share five methods for cultivating hydrangeas.
1. Selection of planting soil. Hydrangeas prefer loose, fertile, and well-draining sandy loam. For potted hydrangeas at home, a mixture of fertile garden soil, peat soil, and sand is recommended. It's important to note that the color of hydrangeas will vary depending on the soil used: they will display blue hues in acidic soil and pink hues in alkaline soil. You can also use ferrous sulfate to adjust the color to blue by mixing it with water according to the instructions when watering, which can change the soil's pH; aluminum sulfate can be used to adjust the color to pink, by adding it to the water when watering, which changes the soil to a slightly alkaline loam, allowing the hydrangeas to bloom with pink flowers. The pot for growing hydrangeas should have a diameter of 15 to 20 centimeters, as a pot that is too large can cause waterlogging and root rot, while a pot that is too small can affect the plant's nutrient intake and growth.
2. Requirements for temperature and sunlight. Hydrangeas prefer warmth, with a suitable growth temperature between 18 and 28 degrees. They should be kept indoors during winter, as temperatures below 5 degrees can cause frost damage. Hydrangeas enjoy semi-shaded sunlight and thrive in areas with bright diffused light. When growing hydrangeas at home, you can place them in a location with diffused light on a balcony or about 2 feet away from a windowsill. They will grow vigorously. Especially in summer, they should not be exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause sunburn on the leaves and fading of the flowers, affecting their ornamental value.
3. How to water and fertilize. Hydrangeas prefer moist conditions and are particularly susceptible to drought. During the growing season, especially in summer, they need to be watered once in the morning and once in the evening, or the leaves will wilt. When caring for potted hydrangeas in winter, it's better to keep the soil slightly dry, as excessive moisture can cause root rot. Hydrangeas enjoy fertilizing, with feeding every two weeks during the growing season. Blue hydrangeas can be given more potassium fertilizer, while pink ones can be given more calcium-rich fertilizers.
4. How to prune the branches. After the hydrangeas have finished blooming, it's important to remove the spent flowers and dead leaves to encourage new branching. During the vigorous growth period, you can prune the dense branches, weak leaves, and weak stems to increase the ventilation and lighting around the hydrangea balls, making the plant more round and beautiful and promoting better growth and flowering.
5. Prevention and control of diseases and pests. The main diseases of hydrangeas are leaf blight and black spot, which can be controlled by spraying a 70% zinc omadine powder mixture diluted to 800 times. The main pests are aphids and Blissus, which can be controlled by using a 1000-fold liquid of dimethoate. If one application is not enough, you can spray again after 10 days until complete control is achieved. Regular care should include ensuring good ventilation, pruning spent flowers and leaves, and controlling diseases and pests.
How to plant hydrangeas
Propagation methods: Hydrangeas are best propagated in spring and autumn, with April to June being the best time in late spring and early summer, and September to October in autumn. The main methods are cutting propagation and division propagation. a) Cutting propagation. After the hydrangeas have finished blooming, select healthy young branches 10 to 15 centimeters long as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, leaving 2 to 3 leaves at the top, and insert them into moist sandy soil in a shaded area. Keep the medium slightly moist, and they will usually root and sprout in 20 to 30 days. They can be transplanted into a pot of your choice the following year and will bloom in the same year. b) Division. This is more suitable before the early spring sprouting, combining potting and soil replacement in spring. Separate the rooted branches from the mother plant and plant them directly in a small pot with soil. Avoid overwatering, as slightly moist soil is easier for them to survive. Place them in a semi-shaded area and transfer to normal care after new leaves have sprouted.
The above information on how to plant hydrangeas and the precautions for growing them should provide some helpful green plant experiences that can assist you in life!