Cultivation Methods and Precautions for乔木绣球 (Hydrangea macrophylla)
The editor answers your questions about the characteristics of乔木绣球, an introduction to green plants and flowers. Next, our site editor will introduce it to everyone.
If spring is the season of roses, then summer is the season of hydrangeas. In the hydrangea family, the relationships are complex, with common types including large flower hydrangeas, panicled hydrangeas, wood hydrangeas, and乔木绣球 (乔木 hydrangeas), among others. The first three types of hydrangeas have been introduced in previous articles, so today let's talk about the characteristics and cultivation precautions of乔木绣ball.
Characteristics of乔木绣ball
乔木绣ball is a plant of the hydrangea genus in the Saxifragaceae family. It can grow up to more than 3 meters tall and is very cold-resistant. It can survive temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius in winter. Moreover,乔木绣ball blooms on new branches and does not require vernalization, making it a variety that can burst into bloom every year.
When乔木绣ball flowers first open, the color is bean green, then gradually turns white, and finally becomes jade-like. The flower balls are also relatively large, and the whole plant has a light and graceful posture. Whether planted in the garden or in pots, the ornamental effect is excellent.
Representative varieties of乔木绣ball include "Bella Anna," "Pink Bella Anna," and "Unbeatable Bella Anna." In recent years, a new variety, "Bubblegum乔木绣ball," has been introduced, which has pink flowers and performs even better than Pink Bella Anna.
Cultivation Methods and Precautions for乔木绣ball
乔木绣ball is very suitable for ground planting and is recommended to be planted in a semi-shaded position. It also performs very well in pots and is easy to make bloom. When cultivating乔木绣ball, we suggest you focus on the following points.
1. - - fertile and well-drained soil - -
For ground planting, choose a slightly higher position that does not easily accumulate water and preferably one with shade, not too sunny.
For pot planting, the soil should be well-drained and fertile. You can use a general-purpose potting soil or mix general-purpose potting soil with 1/3 garden soil. When potting, you can add fermented organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer as a base fertilizer, and plant with the original soil ball. After planting, water once to settle the roots.
2. - - Appropriate fertilization and watering management - -
For potted乔木绣ball, water thoroughly when the soil is dry. In hot summer, water when the surface of the potting soil becomes dry. For ground planting, watering is only necessary during dry spells in summer, and management is relatively simple.
In terms of fertilization, in April, when乔木绣ball starts to sprout and grow, it should be fertilized with a growth-type water-soluble fertilizer every 10 days or so. After the flower buds appear in May, you can switch to灌根 with potassium dihydrogen phosphate, maintaining this once a day.
When乔木绣ball blooms, stop fertilizing and ensure adequate water. When the flowers change from white to jade-like color, indicating the end of the blooming period, you can prune or leave the flowers on the branches to dry.
In winter,乔木绣ball enters a dormant period. For ground planting, you can apply fermented organic fertilizer as winter fertilizer. For potted乔木绣ball, if you plan to repot in the spring, you don't need to apply winter fertilizer; just add sufficient base fertilizer when repotting. If not repotting, it is recommended to add plenty of fermented organic fertilizer in winter.
3. - - Light control - -
乔木绣ball prefers a semi-shaded environment and does not tolerate strong sunlight. It can maintain full sun in spring, autumn, and winter, but in summer, it is advisable to provide shade, which is more conducive to the growth of乔木绣ball. Excessive light can burn the leaves.
4. - - Reasonable pruning - -
Pruning of乔木绣ball mainly occurs after flowering and during the dormant period. After the flowers turn jade-like, you can prune, cutting with a pair of buds or just the残花.
After entering the dormant period in winter,乔木绣ball can also be pruned, or pruning can be done before sprouting in early spring. It is recommended to prune heavily during the dormant period, as this will result in stronger new buds in the spring and prevent the flowers from drooping. Of course, if you want乔木绣ball to grow taller, you can prune lightly, removing weak branches and retaining only strong ones. Pruning should be based on personal preferences for shape and is not fixed. Just master the timing of pruning.
5. - - Overwintering management - -
乔木绣ball has excellent cold resistance and can survive the winter outdoors in the Northeast without freezing, although the branches may be damaged. However, new branches will grow from the soil in the spring, so there is no need to worry about overwintering, and it can be grown outdoors in most regions. For ground planting, it is recommended to apply some fermented organic fertilizer in winter to maintain soil temperature and replenish soil fertility.
乔木绣ball does not require vernalization and is very cold-resistant, making it suitable for both south and north regions. It is easy to manage and blooms profusely every year, making it a great choice for新手 gardeners.
The introduction above provides specific information about the characteristics of乔木绣ball and its cultivation methods and precautions. We hope you will like it!