How to plant hydrangea seeds? Teaching you the correct planting method
Hydrangea is also known as eight immortals flower, grass hydrangea, ziyang flower, etc. It is a shrub plant of the genus Hydrangea in the family Saxifragaceae, native to Japan and the Sichuan area of China. In Europe, cultivation is relatively common in the Netherlands, Germany and France. The flower form is full, large and beautiful. Modern parks and scenic areas all plant it in masses to form landscapes. Now let us take a look 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 likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment. The suitable growth 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. After flowering, maintaining 16°C can extend the viewing period, but high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly. The potting soil should be kept moist. The soil is best as loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam.
Propagation methods of hydrangea
1. Division: Hydrangea division should be carried out in early spring before sprouting. Separate the rooted branches from the mother plant and pot them directly. Do not water too much. Maintain them in semi-shade. After new buds sprout, switch to normal care.
2. Layering: Hydrangea layering propagation is carried out when the buds begin to swell. Roots can grow after 30 days. In the spring of the following year, cut it off from the mother plant, transplant it with soil, and it can bloom in the same year.
3. Cuttings: Hydrangea cuttings are carried out during the plum rain season. Cut off the top tender branches, about 20 cm long, remove the lower leaves. The suitable temperature for cutting is 13-18°C, and roots form 15 days after insertion.
How to grow hydrangea
1. Soil: Hydrangea prefers loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam, but changes in soil pH greatly change the flower color of hydrangea. 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 of hydrangea should be kept moist, but watering should not be excessive. 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 rot.
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, proper shading can extend the viewing period.
4. Temperature: 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. After flowering, maintaining 16°C can extend the viewing period. Note that high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.
5. Fertilizing: Hydrangea generally should be given a dilute cake fertilizer solution once every 15 days or so. To keep the potting soil constantly acidic, 0.2% ferrous sulfate can be added when applying liquid fertilizer to make it into alum fertilizer water for irrigation. 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, diseased and dead branches and weak branches should be cut off from the base, retaining 3-5 strong main branches and cutting them back, leaving 2-3 buds on each branch.
7. Pests and diseases: Hydrangea mainly has wilt disease, powdery mildew and leaf spot. Spray 65% zineb wettable powder 600 times solution for control. Pests include aphids and mirids, which can be killed by spraying 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate 1500 times solution.
8. Repotting: Hydrangea generally needs to be repotted and soil-changed once a year. When repotting, cut off rotten roots, decayed roots and overly long root fibers. After moving the plant into a new pot, press the soil firmly, then water thoroughly, place it in a shaded place for about 10 days, and then move it outdoors for normal management.