How to Plant Hydrangea Seeds? Latest Planting Method Explained
Hydrangea is also known as eight-immortal flower, grass hydrangea, and ziyang flower (mountain hydrangea). It is a shrub plant of the genus Hydrangea in the family Saxifragaceae, native to Japan and the Sichuan area of China. In Europe, it is relatively commonly cultivated in the Netherlands, Germany, and France. The flower heads are full, large, and beautiful, and modern parks and scenic areas all use mass plantings to form landscapes. Now let us take a look together at how to plant hydrangea seeds!
How to plant hydrangea seeds?
The flowers of hydrangea are mostly sterile flowers and rarely produce mature seeds, so asexual propagation methods such as cuttings and division are usually used for cultivation. Hydrangea prefers a warm, humid, and semi-shaded environment. The optimum growth temperature is 18-28°C. In winter, the 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. After flowering begins, maintaining 16°C can extend the viewing period, but high temperatures cause the flowers to fade quickly. The potting soil should be kept moist, and the soil should preferably be a loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam.
Propagation methods for hydrangea
1. Division: Hydrangea division is best carried out in early spring before budding. Separate the rooted branches from the mother plant and pot them directly. Do not water too much. Keep them in a semi-shaded place for care, and after new buds sprout, switch to normal care.
2. Layering: Hydrangea layering propagation is carried out when the buds begin to swell. Growth can occur after 30 days. In the spring of the following year, cut it off from the mother plant and transplant it with soil. It can bloom in the same year.
3. Cuttings: Hydrangea cuttings are taken during the plum rain season. Cut off the tender top shoots, about 20 cm long, remove the lower leaves. The suitable temperature for cuttings is 13-18°C, and roots form 15 days after insertion.
How to grow hydrangea
1. Soil: Hydrangea prefers a loose, fertile, and well-drained sandy loam, but changes in soil pH cause relatively large changes in flower color. To deepen the blue color, aluminum sulfate can be applied during the bud formation stage. To maintain pink, lime can be applied to the soil.
2. Watering: The potting soil for hydrangea should be kept moist, but do not water too much. Especially in the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent root rot caused by waterlogging. In winter, indoor potted plants are better kept slightly dry. If too humid, the leaves are prone to rotting.
3. Light: Hydrangea is a short-day plant. During normal cultivation, avoid direct sunlight. 60-70% shading is ideal. When sunlight is too strong in midsummer, appropriate shading can extend the viewing period.
4. Temperature: The optimum 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. After flowering begins, maintaining 16°C can extend the viewing period. Note that high temperatures cause the flowers to fade quickly.
5. Fertilizing: Hydrangea should generally be given a dilute cake fertilizer solution once every 15 days or so. To keep the potting soil regularly acidic, when applying liquid fertilizer, add 0.2% ferrous sulfate to turn it into alum fertilizer solution for watering. During the bud stage, apply 1-2 additional doses of 0.5% superphosphate soaking solution.
6. Pruning: After hydrangea blooms, pay attention to removing the flower stems to encourage new branches. Proper pruning can maintain a beautiful plant shape. In early spring in March, cut off diseased, dead, and weak branches from the base, keep 3-5 healthy main branches and shorten them, leaving 2-3 buds on each branch.
7. Pests and diseases: Hydrangea mainly suffers from wilt disease, powdery mildew, and leaf spot. Spray 600 times diluted 65% zineb wettable powder for control. Pests include aphids and mirid bugs, which can be killed by spraying 1500 times diluted 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
8. Repotting: Hydrangea generally needs to be repotted and have its soil changed once a year. When repotting, cut off decayed roots, rotten roots, and overly long root fibers. After moving the plant into a new pot, press the soil firmly, water thoroughly, place it in a shaded place for about 10 days, and then move it outdoors for normal management.