How to care for hydrangeas

How to care for hydrangeas

Hydrangea is a favorite among gardening enthusiasts because of its brilliant colors and plump flower shapes. However, if you want hydrangeas to grow healthily and bloom with beautiful flowers, scientific maintenance methods are essential. This article will combine the hot gardening topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to introduce you to the maintenance skills of hydrangea in detail, helping you to easily create the highlight of your garden.

1. Basic information about hydrangeas

Hydrangea belongs to the genus Hydrangea in the family Saxifrageceae and is native to Asia and America. It usually blooms in summer. Its flowers come in various colors, including blue, pink, white, etc., and the flower color can even be changed by adjusting the soil pH. The following are basic maintenance data for hydrangeas:

2. Hydrangea care tips

1. Lighting management

Hydrangea prefers a semi-shady environment, especially in summer, it needs to avoid direct sunlight, otherwise it will easily cause leaf burns. It is recommended to plant it in a place that can receive sunlight in the morning or evening and require shade at noon.

2. Watering points

Hydrangeas have high water requirements, but avoid standing water. Water every day in summer to keep the soil moist; watering frequency can be reduced in winter. When watering, try to avoid the leaves and water the roots directly to reduce the occurrence of diseases.

3. Soil and fertilization

Hydrangeas prefer loose and fertile soil, and the pH value has a significant impact on flower color. Acidic soil (pH<6）易开蓝色花，中性或碱性土壤（pH>7) has pink flowers. Apply diluted liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during the growth period, and add phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before the flowering period.

4. Pruning method

Hydrangea pruning depends on the variety. Varieties that bloom on old branches (such as Hydrangea macrophylla) should be pruned lightly after flowering; varieties that bloom on new branches (such as Hydrangea paniculata) can be pruned again in early spring. When pruning, care should be taken to retain healthy bud points to promote the germination of new branches.

5. Pest and disease control

Common diseases of hydrangeas include powdery mildew, leaf spot, etc., and insect pests include aphids and red spider mites. Focus on prevention, maintain good ventilation, and spray fungicides regularly. When pests and diseases are discovered, remove diseased leaves promptly and apply targeted pesticides.

3. Color control of hydrangeas

The flower color of hydrangeas is closely related to the pH of the soil. The following are specific methods to control flower color:

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What should I do if the hydrangea leaves turn yellow?

A: It may be caused by iron deficiency or improper watering. Ferrous sulfate solution can be applied and soil drainage checked.

Q: Why don’t hydrangeas bloom?

A: It may be due to insufficient light, improper pruning or excessive nitrogen fertilizer. Maintenance measures need to be adjusted to ensure flower bud differentiation.

Q: How to care for hydrangeas in winter?

A: Cold-tolerant varieties can survive the winter outdoors, while non-cold-tolerant varieties need to be moved indoors. Reduce watering and stop fertilizing.

5. Summary

Hydrangea care requires attention to key aspects such as light, moisture, soil, and pruning. Through scientific maintenance methods, we can not only extend the flowering period, but also control the ideal flower color. Hopefully the detailed guidance in this article will help you successfully grow healthy and beautiful hydrangeas that will add a splash of color to your garden.