How to Care for Hydrangeas
Today, I will share some personal experiences on caring for hydrangeas at home with netizens. Details on how to care for hydrangeas are as follows:
In the past, hydrangeas were mostly planted in gardens, but now many flower enthusiasts are growing them in pots. This article is a casual writing by a flower enthusiast about caring for hydrangeas. Compared to theoretical knowledge, personal experiences and insights are easier to learn. Let's see how to care for hydrangeas.
Soil Mixture:
Peat (loose and water-retaining): Perlite (breathable) = 4:1
Sunlight:
Ensure sunlight exposure does not exceed 30°. Appropriate shading is needed during the hottest weather.
Ventilation:
Outdoor cultivation is better.
Watering:
In spring and autumn, water when the topsoil is dry, and make sure to water thoroughly. During the flowering period in summer, water daily. In the dormant period of winter, water consumption is lower.
Color Adjustment:
1. The soil must contain abundant aluminum elements to react. 2. Acidic soil produces blue flowers, while alkaline soil produces pink flowers.
Increasing Soil Aluminum Elements:
Aluminum sulfate (once every 10 days), Ogreen slow-release color adjuster (once in spring and autumn), add 15g per gallon of soil, evenly sprinkled on the surface of the potting soil.
Acidic Soil (pH 5-6):
Water in the north tends to be alkaline, while in the south, it is acidic. Add 5ml of white vinegar per liter of water. After the blue color stabilizes, reduce the amount to 2ml. Do not overdo it, as excessive use can burn the roots.
Best Time for Color Adjustment:
Before the flower buds sprout or right after they sprout.
Fertilizing:
Ogreen 318s (efficacy for 8-9 months), use it when potting in spring, add about 3g per liter of soil. For example, add 10g to a gallon pot, use Huaduo 1 in the spring when the branches and leaves are growing, concentration 1:1000, add 1g to a liter of water, once a week; Huaduo 1 during the budding and flowering period, concentration 1:1000, add 1g to a liter of water, once a week.
Pruning:
Do not prune old branches in spring. For varieties that bloom on old branches, complete pruning before the end of August.
Hydrangea Cutting:
Leave one node on the cutting, cut off most of the large leaves, leaving one-third of the leaves. Fill a small plastic cup with vermiculite, make a hole at the bottom of the cup, and place it in a water-filled tray. Keep it in a semi-shaded environment, ensuring there is always water in the tray. Roots should appear in about a month.
The above content introduces how to care for hydrangeas (personal insights by flower enthusiasts). I hope this is helpful to green plant enthusiasts!