The Latest Hydrangea Growing Methods and Precautions

The hydrangea is a common potted ornamental flowering shrub, also known as the eight-immortals flower, the pink-ball flower, and the grass hydrangea, among other names. It is a shrub of the genus Hydrangea in the family Saxifragaceae. Its flower heads are full, large and beautiful, and the flower color can be red or blue, delighting the eye and soothing the mind, with extremely high ornamental value. Modern parks and scenic areas all plant them in masses to form landscapes. Now let us take a look together at the hydrangea's growing methods and precautions!

The Hydrangea's Growth Habits

1. Soil: The hydrangea is suited to growing in fertile, well-drained acidic soil. The pH of the soil has a very noticeable effect on the hydrangea's flower color: when the soil is acidic the flowers are blue, and when the soil is alkaline the flowers are red.

2. Humidity: The hydrangea's potting soil should be kept moist, but it should not be watered too much. Especially in the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging from causing root rot. In winter, indoor potted plants are best kept slightly dry; if too dry or too wet, the leaves rot easily.

3. Temperature: The hydrangea's optimum growing temperature 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 the flowers appear can extend the viewing period. Note that high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.

4. Light: The hydrangea is a short-day plant. In normal cultivation, avoid direct blazing sun, and 60-70% shade is ideal. In midsummer, when the light is too intense, appropriate shading can extend the viewing period.

The Hydrangea's Propagation Methods

1. Division: The hydrangea is best divided in early spring before budding. Separate the rooted branches from the mother plant and pot them directly. Do not water too much, and keep them in semi-shade for care. After new buds sprout, switch to normal care.

2. Layering: The hydrangea is propagated by layering when the buds begin to swell. Growth occurs after 30 days. The following spring, cut it off from the mother plant, transplant it with the soil, and it can bloom that same year.

3. Cuttage: The hydrangea is propagated by cuttage during the plum rain season. Cut off the tender top branches, about 20 cm long, remove the lower leaves, and the suitable temperature for cuttage is 13-18°C. Roots form 15 days after insertion.

The Hydrangea's Growing Methods

1. Soil: The hydrangea does best in loose, fertile, well-drained sandy loam, but changes in soil pH cause relatively large changes in the hydrangea's flower color. To deepen the blue, apply aluminum sulfate during the bud formation stage; to maintain pink, apply lime to the soil.

2. Watering: The hydrangea's potting soil should be kept moist, but it should not be watered too much. Especially in the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent waterlogging from causing root rot. In winter, indoor potted plants are best kept slightly dry. If too moist, the leaves rot easily.

3. Light: The hydrangea is a short-day plant. In normal cultivation, avoid direct blazing sun, and 60-70% shade is ideal. In midsummer, when the light is too intense, appropriate shading can extend the viewing period.

4. Temperature: The hydrangea's optimum growing temperature 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 the flowers appear can extend the viewing period. Note that high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.

5. Fertilizing: The hydrangea should generally be given 1 application of dilute cake fertilizer water about every 15 days. To keep the potting soil constantly acidic, add 0.2% ferrous sulfate when applying liquid fertilizer to turn it into alum fertilizer water for watering. During the bud stage, apply 1-2 additional applications of 0.5% superphosphate soaking solution.

6. Pruning: After the hydrangea blooms, pay attention to removing the flower stems to encourage new branches. Appropriate pruning can keep the plant's shape beautiful. In early spring in March, cut off diseased, dead and weak branches from the base, keep 3-5 strong main branches and shorten them, leaving 2-3 buds on each branch.

7. Pests and diseases: The hydrangea mainly suffers from wilt disease, powdery mildew and leaf spot disease, which can be prevented and controlled by spraying 600 times diluted 65% zineb wettable powder. Pests include aphids and plant bugs, which can be killed by spraying 1500 times diluted 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.

8. Repotting: The hydrangea generally needs to be repotted and have its soil changed once a year. When repotting, cut off rotten roots, decayed roots and overly long fibrous roots. After moving the plant into the new pot, firm the soil, water thoroughly, place it in a shaded spot for about 10 days, and then move it outdoors for normal management.

The Hydrangea's Precautions

1. The hydrangea can be grown in clay pots, porcelain pots or plastic pots, with a 15-20 cm pot being suitable. When planting, first put the soil into the flower pot, press it lightly firm, then water it thoroughly. The planting depth should be such that the soil the seedling came with is level with the pot surface; do not plant too deep or too shallow.

2. The hydrangea should begin to be pinched 2-3 weeks after potting. At the first pinching, each branch needs 2 nodes. The second pinching should only be done once the side buds that grow out have already grown strong. The last pinching should not be later than the end of June, to ensure the branches can grow fully and carry out flower bud differentiation.

3. In summer and autumn, the hydrangea should be placed in semi-shade or under a curtain frame to prevent direct blazing sun and avoid the leaves turning yellow and scorched. Apply a top dressing once or twice before and after flowering. After the flowers fade, promptly trim off the flower stems to keep the plant looking beautiful. Keep the potting soil constantly moist, but prevent water accumulation after rain.

4. Move the hydrangea indoors in early to mid-October, control watering, and keep the room temperature at about 5°C to promote dormancy. Before moving it indoors, remove the leaves to prevent them from rotting. From mid-December, begin moving it to a sunny spot and keep the temperature at 15-20°C to promote the growth of branches and leaves. Move it outdoors in late April the following year.