How to care for hydrangeas
Do you know these? An introduction to the green plant flowers about how to care for hydrangeas and five simple methods to grow them. Next, the editor will introduce them.
Hydrangeas are deciduous shrubs that bloom from May to September every year. The flowers are colorful and lush, planted in courtyards, corners, and windowsills, creating a festive atmosphere. The bright colors range from blue to pink, red, and more, like a sea of blossoms opening before people's eyes. Potted plants placed in spacious indoor spaces like living rooms and balconies add to the joyous ambiance and are ideal flowers for decorating window sills, balconies, and living rooms. In recent years, they have become increasingly popular among flower enthusiasts. So, how do you plant and care for hydrangeas? Today, we share five cultivation methods for hydrangeas.
1. Selection of planting soil. Hydrangeas prefer loose, fertile, and well-draining sandy loam soil. For home potted hydrangeas, a mixture of fertile garden soil, peat soil, and sand is suitable. It is important to note that the color of the hydrangea flowers will vary depending on the soil used. Flowers planted in acidic soil will show blue hues, while those in alkaline soil can display pink colors. You can also use ferrous sulfate to adjust the color to blue by adding it to the water when watering, which changes the soil's pH. Using aluminum sulfate to adjust to pink involves adding it to the water when watering, changing the soil to a slightly alkaline loam, allowing the hydrangeas to bloom pink flowers. The pot for growing hydrangeas should have a diameter of 15-20 centimeters; too large can cause waterlogging and root rot, while too small affects the plant's nutrient intake and growth.
2. Requirements for temperature and light. Hydrangeas enjoy warmth, with a growth temperature of 18-28 degrees. They should be kept indoors during winter, as temperatures below 5 degrees can cause frostbite. Hydrangeas thrive in semi-shaded light, especially in bright, diffused light. They can be placed in a spot with diffused light on the 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 the leaves can develop sunspots and the flowers may become discolored, affecting their ornamental value.
3. How to water and fertilize. Hydrangeas prefer moist conditions and are particularly susceptible to drought. During the growth season, especially in summer, they need to be watered once in the morning and evening, or the leaves will wilt. In winter, potted hydrangeas should be kept slightly dry, as excessive moisture can cause root rot. Hydrangeas enjoy fertilizer and should be fertilized every half month during the growing season. Blue hydrangeas can be fertilized with more potassium, while pink ones can be given more calcium-rich fertilizers.
4. How to prune flower branches. After the hydrangea flowers fade, it is important to remove the spent flowers and leaves to encourage new branches. During the vigorous growth period, dense branches, weak leaves, and weak branches should be pruned to improve air circulation and light penetration, making the plant more rounded and beautiful, and promoting better growth and flowering.
5. Disease and pest control. The main diseases affecting hydrangeas are leaf blight and black spot, which can be controlled by using a 70% zinc omadine powder mixed with 800 times water to spray. The main pests are aphids and thrips, which can be controlled with 1000 times liquid of omethoate. If one spray is not enough, it can be repeated every 10 days until completely eliminated. Regular maintenance should include ensuring good ventilation, pruning spent flowers and leaves, and branches affected by pests to reduce the spread of diseases and pests.
Propagation methods: Propagation of hydrangeas is suitable in spring and autumn, with the best time being from April to June at the end of spring and beginning of summer, and from September to October in autumn. Mainly, cutting and division propagation are used. a) Cutting propagation. After the hydrangea flowers fade, select healthy tender branches 10-15 centimeters long as cuttings, remove the lower leaves, leaving 2-3 at the top, insert them into moist sandy soil, place them in a shaded area, keep the medium slightly moist, and they can root and sprout in about 20-30 days. The following year, they can be transplanted into your favorite pot and will bloom in the same year. b) Division. This is more suitable before the early spring germination. In spring, combine potting soil change with separating rooted branches from the mother plant and directly planting them with soil in a small pot. Avoid excessive watering, as slightly moist soil is easier to survive. Keep them in a semi-shaded area and transfer to normal care after new leaves sprout.
The above content introduces how to care for hydrangeas and teaches you five simple methods to grow them, hoping it is helpful to you!