Hydrangea Planting and Cultivation Experience Summary and Tips Sharing

1. Planting: In southern regions, it can be planted in the ground and overwinter outdoors; planting should be done before spring bud break. In northern regions, it should be grown in pots and overwintered indoors; planting or repotting can be done from after leaf drop until before spring bud break the following year. For the potting soil, use a thoroughly mixed growing medium of 4 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil, and 2 parts river sand. When planting, place some horse hoof slices and bone meal at the bottom of the pot as a base fertilizer. After planting, water once thoroughly and keep it in a shaded place for care. Once growth is stable and new shoots have emerged, move it to a place where it can receive some sunlight.

2. Light and Temperature: It is a short-day plant and is not demanding about light. The suitable temperature for growth is 25°C. In winter, it should be brought into a greenhouse and placed in a spot with not too strong light; it can also be kept in a sunny spot, with the room temperature maintained at 10-15°C, which keeps the leaves green and prevents leaf drop; the minimum temperature is 5°C, but leaf drop will occur. After being brought outside in spring, it should be kept in a shaded and humid environment for care; avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight, as strong light can cause leaf scorch and even death of the plant.

3. Watering and Fertilizing: After planting, water thoroughly and keep the potting soil fully moist, but do not overwater, because its fleshy roots rot easily when there is too much water. For fertilizing, apply liquid fertilizer 1-2 times per month together with watering. In dry and hot weather, spray water around the pot frequently to keep the environment humid, which helps potted flowers grow. After bringing it indoors, stop fertilizing and water less.

4. Shaping and Pruning: In early spring, promptly remove diseased and weak branches, dry and dead branches, and overly dense branches. After flowering, promptly cut off the spent flowers to encourage new branch growth and make the plant fuller and stronger. Proper short pruning can make the buds plump and promote the growth of flowering branches the following year.

5. Flowering Control: If you want hydrangeas to bloom during the Spring Festival, promptly cut off the spent flowers in early October and shorten the branches; the length of the retained branches depends on the size of the pot and plant shape, generally leaving about 6 cm. The potting soil should also be replaced with new soil in a timely manner, with an appropriate amount of base fertilizer added, then move it into a high-temperature greenhouse and maintain the temperature at 24-30°C, strengthen fertilizer and water management, and it will bloom for viewing during the Spring Festival.