How to properly care for hydrangeas in winter so they will bloom in spring
The editor explains how to care for hydrangeas in winter to ensure blooming in spring, as well as an introduction to the green plant and flower care techniques for winter hydrangea maintenance. Corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
It is already the end of November, and the weather is very cold. The leaves of the hydrangeas in the garden have long lost their green color, some turning yellow, some freezing into deep red, and a large number of leaves falling from the branches. Although hydrangeas have entered a dormant state, we cannot neglect their care. In winter, caring for hydrangeas should follow the principle of "three less, one more," allowing the plants to rest well, so they will grow more vigorously and produce larger flower balls next year.
1. Less pruning
For most flowers, pruning is necessary after the leaves fall in winter. Many flower enthusiasts see the yellowing and falling leaves of hydrangeas and want to prune with scissors.
Hydrangeas are actually quite special plants. Most hydrangeas are varieties that bloom on old branches, with the current year's old branches beginning to differentiate flower buds in the autumn and winter, and blooming the following spring. If we prune extensively in winter, we will cut off all the flower buds of the hydrangeas, severely affecting the blooming next year. Therefore, unlike other flowers, hydrangeas do not need to be pruned after the leaves fall in winter.
2. Less watering
Hydrangeas are water-loving flowers, especially in the summer, requiring watering every 1-2 days, or else the young buds will wither. Hydrangeas consume a lot of water mainly because their large leaves have many stomata, and water evaporates continuously from the surface of the leaves. However, after entering winter, the leaves of the hydrangeas have fallen, so there is no longer a need to water as frequently as in the growing season. If watering is too frequent, the excess water absorbed by the roots can easily freeze.
How to properly care for hydrangeas in winter so they will bloom in spring
In winter, try to keep the potting soil of hydrangeas on the drier side, without frequent watering. Watering once every 10-15 days is generally sufficient. Try to water in the middle of the day when the temperature is higher. If the hydrangeas are kept indoors or on a balcony, the tap water should be left to reach room temperature before use to avoid shocking the roots due to large temperature differences.
3. Less fertilizing
Hydrangeas have stopped growing in winter, so there is no need to fertilize to supplement nutrients. If a large amount of fertilizer is placed in the flower pot, the plant will not be able to consume it, and the excess fertilizer will burden the roots, possibly even causing the entire plant to die.
In the late winter and early spring, when the temperature begins to rise above 0 degrees Celsius, we can apply some fertilizer to the hydrangeas to help them grow in the spring. Prepare some organic fertilizers, such as well-fermented cow and sheep dung, soybean cake fertilizer, bone meal, fruit peel fertilizer, etc. Dig small holes around the hydrangeas and bury the fertilizer in them. For potted hydrangeas, dig small holes around the edge of the pot and bury the fertilizer. As the temperature rises, the fertilizer will gradually dissolve into the soil, providing ample nutrients for the hydrangeas to sprout and grow in the spring.
4. More sun exposure
Hydrangeas are semi-shaded flowers, not liking too strong light, nor can they be kept in a completely dark place. In the summer, they need to be shaded from the sun, while in the spring and autumn seasons, the pots should be placed in a semi-shaded area. In winter, the sunlight is at its weakest, and to allow the plants to absorb more light to withstand the severe cold, we need to place the pots in a well-lit position. With enough sunlight, the branches will be stronger and less prone to frost damage, and there will be more young buds and flowers the following year.
This article shares a detailed explanation of how to care for hydrangeas in winter so they will bloom in spring and the techniques for winter hydrangea maintenance, for everyone's reference and suggestions!