A Complete Guide to Hydrangea Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Summary You can mix 1 part cake fertilizer, 4 parts compost soil and 5 parts sandy soil into growing soil. During cultivation, keep the potting soil moist. It can usually be kept in a semi-shaded environment. The suitable growth temperature is 18-28°C. Generally, apply 1 dilute cake fertilizer solution about every 15 days. During the bud stage, you can apply 1-2 additional doses of 0.5% superphosphate soaking solution. In March each year, promptly prune weak branches and diseased or dead branches, and you can use zineb wettable powder and omethoate emulsifiable concentrate to control pests and diseases.
1. Choosing Soil
1. For hydrangea planting soil, fertile, loose, well-drained sandy loam is suitable. For pot cultivation, you can choose 1 part cake fertilizer, 2 parts river sand, 3 parts garden soil and 4 parts leaf mold mixed into growing soil.
2. Or mix 1 part cake fertilizer, 4 parts compost soil and 5 parts sandy soil evenly, or use a mixed soil of 1 part cake fertilizer, 3 parts sandy soil or furnace ash residue and 6 parts leaf mold. After potting, water the growing soil thoroughly and keep it indoors for care, then move it outdoors in early May.
2. Regular Watering
1. Hydrangea leaves are relatively large and thick, so they need more water. In spring and summer, water frequently to keep the potting soil moist. In the hot midsummer season, water once in the morning and once in the evening, and provide appropriate shading.
2. In winter, water less, as long as the potting soil remains moist. During growth, water thoroughly so that the potting soil often remains moist. Especially in summer, provide sufficient water.
3. Reasonable Light
1. Hydrangea is a short-day plant. After being moved outdoors in spring, first keep it in a semi-shaded environment. In midsummer, it can be moved to a cool, well-ventilated place to avoid sunscald on the leaves.
2. After September, light intensity gradually weakens. To promote flower bud differentiation, move the pot to a place with more light for care.
4. Suitable Temperature
1. Hydrangea loves a warm environment. The suitable growth temperature is 18-28°C, and the winter temperature must not be lower than 5°C.
2. Flower bud differentiation requires 6-8 weeks at 5-7°C. A temperature of 20°C can promote flowering. After flowering, maintain the temperature at 16°C to extend the viewing period. During this period, avoid high temperatures, which make the flowers fade quickly.
5. Applying More Fertilizer
1. Hydrangea loves fertilizer and water. During growth, generally about every 15 days, apply 1 dilute cake fertilizer solution.
2. To ensure the potting soil often remains acidic, you can add 0.2% ferrous sulfate when applying liquid fertilizer, making it into alum fertilizer water for irrigation. During the bud stage, apply 1-2 additional doses of 0.5% superphosphate soaking solution, which can promote larger flowers and brighter colors.
6. Timely Pruning
1. For hydrangea, in early spring each year in March, cut off weak branches and diseased or dead branches from the base. You can retain 3-5 strong main branches and cut them back, keeping 2-3 buds on each branch to encourage new branches, which helps produce abundant flowers.
2. General pruning and shaping can make the plant compact, even, full, with more flowers, larger blooms and brighter colors. If pruning is not carried out, the base of old branches over 3 years old will become woody, which is not conducive to sprouting new branches and easily causes the lower part of the plant to become empty, affecting the plant's ornamental value.
7. Pest and Disease Control
1. Common hydrangea diseases mainly include powdery mildew, wilt disease and leaf spot disease. During this period, spray 65% zineb wettable powder at 600 times dilution for control.
2. Common hydrangea pests mainly include aphids and mirids. During this period, spray 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1500 times dilution for control.