How to Grow Hydrangea? Detailed Guide to Cultivation Methods and Precautions
Speaking of hydrangea, most people are probably fairly familiar with it. Hydrangea is a very well-known ornamental flowering plant. Its flowers are spherical, large and brilliantly colorful, which is why it is also called hydrangea. Many people in daily life are very fond of hydrangea, so how should hydrangea be planted and cared for? Let's find out together below!
How to Grow Hydrangea
1. Fertilization Method
Hydrangea likes fertilizer. During the growing season, apply cake fertilizer once about every 15 days. At the bud stage, apply additional fertilizer 1~2 times, mainly using soaked superphosphate solution, to promote larger and more colorful flowers.
Of course, fertilization also has another important role: balancing the soil. Hydrangea likes acidic soil, but the water at home is neutral, and long-term watering will reduce the soil's acidity. So when fertilizing, you can appropriately add ferrous sulfate to turn it into alum fertilizer for watering, raising the soil's acidity.
2. Watering Method
In spring and summer, water frequently to keep the potting soil moist. Especially during the high temperatures of midsummer, water once in the morning and once in the evening, and take care to provide appropriate shade at noon. From May to August, in addition to watering, also spray water on the leaves. After September, as the weather gradually turns cooler, reduce the amount of water to promote sturdy branches and encourage dormancy. In winter, reduce watering during dormancy (if you can avoid watering, do so), keeping the potting soil slightly moist.
3. Light Requirements
Hydrangea likes shade and does not like sun. When moved outdoors in spring, it should be placed in a semi-shaded spot for care. In midsummer, place the plant in a well-ventilated shaded spot to prevent sunburn from the harsh sun. After September, as light gradually weakens, place the plant in a bright spot to promote flower bud differentiation!
4. Temperature Requirements
The most suitable temperature for hydrangea growth is 18-28°C, and in winter it must not go below 5°C. After flower bud differentiation, place it in a 5~7°C environment for 6~8 weeks and it can bloom. After blooming, raise the temperature and keep it stable at around 16°C to extend the flowering period. During the flowering period, the temperature must not be too high, as it easily causes the flowers to fade.
Hydrangea Cultivation Methods and Precautions
1. Soil
Growing hydrangea requires soil with high nutrient content and strong air permeability. You can mix leaf mold, garden soil, river sand and cake fertilizer in a 4:3:2:1 ratio, or mix leaf mold, sandy soil and cake fertilizer in a 6:3:1 ratio.
2. Light
Hydrangea likes shade and does not like sun. In spring, it is best to move it outdoors to a semi-shaded spot for care. In summer, it needs appropriate shading. In autumn, as light gradually weakens, place it in a bright spot to promote flower bud differentiation. In winter, it can be placed in a sunny spot indoors.
3. Moisture
Hydrangea likes moisture but is afraid of waterlogging, so it should be watered frequently but not too much at one time. In spring and summer, water more; after autumn, appropriately reduce watering; after winter, reduce watering again.
4. Temperature
The most suitable growth temperature for hydrangea is 18-28°C. In winter, take care to keep it warm and raise the temperature above 5°C to prevent it from getting frostbitten.
5. Precautions
Acidic soil. Besides normal watering, you can also mix one or two drops of salt-free edible vinegar into the water. This can lower the soil's pH, thereby helping hydrangea grow better.
Timely pruning. During its growing season, pinch off the growing tips to promote side branch growth. Before winter sets in, cut it short, which is more conducive to overwintering.
Growing Environment
Hydrangea is native to China and Japan. It likes warm, humid and semi-shaded environments. The suitable growth temperature for hydrangea is 18-28°C, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 5°C. Flower bud differentiation requires 6-8 weeks at 5-7°C. A temperature of 20°C can promote flowering, and maintaining 16°C after flowers appear can extend the viewing period. However, high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.
Hydrangea potting soil should be kept moist, but watering should not be excessive. Especially in the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging from causing root rot. In winter, indoor potted hydrangea is best kept slightly dry. If it is too humid, the leaves easily rot.
Hydrangea is a short-day plant. With more than 10 hours of darkness treatment per day, flower buds form in about 45-50 days. In normal cultivation, avoid direct sunlight, and 60%-70% shading is ideal.
Loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam soil is best. However, changes in soil pH cause relatively large changes in hydrangea flower color. To deepen the blue color, apply aluminum sulfate during the bud formation stage. To maintain pink, apply lime to the soil.
Is Hydrangea Toxic
Here I can definitely tell everyone that the whole hydrangea plant is toxic. Hydrangea has no particular smell. Once mistakenly eaten, it can cause symptoms such as colic, abdominal pain, diarrhea, shortness of breath, poisoning, vomiting and bloody stool. When caring for it, do not give in to its beauty and pick it to play with.
As described above, although hydrangea is beautiful and exquisite, it has a flaw: it contains a certain toxicity. So if there are elderly people or children at home, it is better not to grow hydrangea! If it is accidentally eaten, it will cause poisoning!