How to Plant Hydrangea? Propagation Methods and Management Tips
Recently a flower grower friend asked: Can hydrangeas be planted in autumn? How do hydrangeas propagate? Hydrangea is actually what we usually call the bigleaf hydrangea, also known as ziyang flower, and it comes in many colors with great ornamental value. Below is a brief guide to learning how to grow hydrangeas.
Recently a flower grower friend asked: Can hydrangeas be planted in autumn? How do hydrangeas propagate? Hydrangea is actually what we usually call the bigleaf hydrangea, also known as ziyang flower, and it comes in many colors with great ornamental value. Below is a brief guide to learning how to grow hydrangeas.
I. Propagation Methods
There are many propagation methods for hydrangea: layering, division and cuttings.
Layering can be done in any season of the year. Choose a robustly growing hydrangea branch and secure it in a suitable position with a layering clip, and new roots will soon grow.
Division is generally carried out in the vigorous growing seasons of spring and summer. Directly separate 2-3 robustly growing plants into another flower pot, and they will take shape after 2 months.
Cuttings are generally taken in May-June. Choose healthy branches that are becoming woody, select a 15 cm section of a side branch, keep 2-3 leaves, dip the lower part of the branch in rooting powder, then insert it into soil with river sand as the substrate, and new roots will grow in 1-2 months.
II. Fertilizer and Water Management
Hydrangea is easy to plant and also very easy to manage. Hydrangea likes fertilizer and water. During the peak growing season, apply nitrogen fertilizer once every month; apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer before and after flowering; and during the flowering period, foliar fertilizer can also be sprayed. Hydrangea likes water. During the peak growing season, water thoroughly once every day; after flower buds appear, water 1-2 times a day; and in the later growth stage, gradually reduce the frequency of watering. Hydrangea likes shade. When sunlight is intense, it should be placed in a semi-shaded spot, as long-term direct sunlight can easily cause the leaves to turn yellow and wither.
III. Pruning
After hydrangea finishes flowering, timely pruning is necessary to maintain a good plant shape. Generally, excess branches at the base are removed, and these branches can be kept for cuttings. Usually 2-3 young buds are retained at the base. When new branches grow to 10 cm, they can be pinched once, which helps hydrangea grow lush branches and leaves.
The above are the propagation and cultivation methods for hydrangea. Flower growers who are interested can take a look. If you have better experience to share, you can leave a message below on Huinong Network!
Key Points for Propagating Hydrangea
The difficulty of artificially cultivating hydrangea is not high, but many flower lovers often want to propagate their own hydrangeas after planting them. The propagation methods for hydrangea are very conventional, and the cutting method is the favorite and most commonly used propagation method among flower lovers.
Hydrangea
Hydrangea propagates easily and survives well. Propagation can use division, layering, cutting and tissue culture methods.
Division propagation is carried out in spring before the plants sprout. Separate rooted branches from the mother plant into several plants according to the root vigor, cut off old roots and overly long roots, pot them directly, water thoroughly, and maintain them in semi-shade. After new buds sprout, carry out routine management. To increase the survival rate, rooting powder can be used to soak or coat the roots of the divided seedlings.
Layering propagation is suitable before the plants sprout in spring. Select robust 1-2 year old branches, lightly notch below a node to cause local wounding, cut off the leaves on the part to be buried underground, bury it in soil, secure the branch well, and keep it moist. Roots begin to form after about 30 days. In the second spring, cut it from the mother plant and transplant it with soil.
Cutting propagation is best carried out in spring and summer, and under greenhouse conditions it can be done throughout all four seasons. Select healthy softwood, woody or semi-woody branches, cut them into cuttings 10-15 cm long, remove the lower leaves of the cuttings, and cut off 1/3-1/2 of the upper leaves. After cutting, maintain substrate moisture, provide appropriate shading, and under 15-25 conditions, roots can form in about 30 days. Before cutting, the base of the cuttings can be soaked for 10 seconds in a 1.1% naphthalene acetic acid aqueous solution, or the base can be dipped in rooting powder to increase the survival rate.
In modern flower production, hydrangea tissue culture propagation technology is widely used. Using induction medium: MS + 6-BA 1.0 mg/L + NAA 0.1 mg/L, and rooting induction medium: 1/2MS + NAA 0.5 mg, large quantities of high-quality seedlings can be produced quickly.
Hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla Hydrangea Illustrated Guide: How to Grow Hydrangea / How to Propagate Hydrangea
Hydrangea ProfileHydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
Hydrangea Cultivation Methods and Precautions Introduction to Hydrangea
Hydrangea (scientific name: Hydrangea macrophylla), also known as bigleaf hydrangea and ziyang flower, is a plant in the genus Hydrangea of the family Saxifragaceae. Hydrangea flowers are white and full, large and beautiful, and their flower color can be red or blue, making them pleasing to the eye and refreshing to the mind. They are common potted ornamental flowering shrubs. China cultivated hydrangea relatively early, and hydrangeas were planted in Jiangnan gardens built during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Parks built in the early 20th century also could not do without hydrangea plantings. Modern parks and scenic areas plant them in large patches to form landscapes.
Morphological Characteristics of Hydrangea
Hydrangea is a deciduous shrub with stout branchlets and obvious lenticels. The leaves are large and slightly thick, opposite, obovate, with coarse serrations along the edges; the leaf surface is bright green and the underside is yellow-green, and the petioles are stout. The flowers are large, composed of many sterile flowers forming a terminal corymb. Flower color is variable, initially white, gradually turning blue or pink. Height 1-4 m; the stem often sends out many radiating branches from the base to form a rounded clump; branches cylindrical, stout, hairless, with a few elongated lenticels. Leaves papery or nearly leathery, suborbicular or broadly ovate, 1.4-2.4 cm long, 1-2.4 cm wide, pink, light blue or white; fertile flowers very few, with pedicels 2-4 mm long; calyx tube obconical, 1.5-2 mm long, sparsely covered with curved short pubescence together with the pedicel, calyx teeth ovate-triangular, about 1 mm long; petals oblong, 3-3.5 mm long; stamens 10, nearly equal in length, not exserted or slightly exserted, anthers oblong, about 1 mm long; ovary mostly inferior, styles 3, about 1.5 mm long in fruit, stigma slightly enlarged, semi-annular. Capsule immature, long top-shaped, about 4.5 mm long including styles, the protruding apical part about 1 mm long, about equal to 1/3 of the capsule length; seeds immature. Flowering period June-August. [1] 4-11.5 cm wide, apex abruptly acute with a short tip, base obtuse-rounded or broadly cuneate, margin coarsely toothed above the base, both surfaces hairless or only sparsely covered with curved short pubescence along both sides of the midvein beneath, often with a few barbate hairs in the vein axils; lateral veins 6-8 pairs, straight, ascending obliquely or slightly arched near the margin in the upper part, flat above, slightly raised beneath, veinlets reticulate, obvious on both surfaces; petiole stout, 1-3.5 cm long, hairless. Corymbose cyme nearly spherical, 8-20 cm in diameter, with a short common peduncle, branches stout, nearly equal in length, densely appressed short-pubescent, flowers dense, mostly sterile; sterile flowers with 4 sepals, broadly ovate.
Ecological Habits of Hydrangea
Hydrangea is native to China and Japan. It likes a warm, humid and semi-shaded environment. 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 flowers appear, maintaining 16°C can prolong the viewing period. However, high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.
The potting soil for hydrangea should remain moist, but watering should not be excessive. Especially in the rainy season, attention should be paid to drainage to prevent root rot caused by waterlogging. In winter, indoor potted hydrangeas are better kept slightly dry. If too humid, the leaves are prone to rot.
Hydrangea is a short-day plant. With more than 10 hours of dark treatment per day, flower buds form in about 45-50 days. In ordinary cultivation, avoid direct exposure to strong sunlight, and 60%-70% shading is ideal.
The soil is best as loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam. However, changes in soil pH cause relatively large changes in hydrangea flower color. To deepen the blue color, aluminum sulfate can be applied during the flower bud formation stage. To maintain pink, lime can be applied to the soil.
Distribution Area of Hydrangea
Hydrangea is native to Japan and the Sichuan area of China. It was introduced to the United Kingdom in 1736. In Europe, cultivation is relatively common in the Netherlands, Germany and France, and red, blue, purple and other colored hydrangea varieties can be seen in flower shops. There are also many hydrangeas planted in small gardens and in front of buildings. The German company RamppJungpflanzen is a world-famous enterprise producing hydrangeas and is also the main breeding and production unit for new hydrangea varieties. Next, the Dutch company Moerheim and the Israeli Yag nursery are also major hydrangea production enterprises. In Asia, Japan is mainly rich in hydrangeas. In gardening shops there are many hydrangea varieties, and many new varieties with unusual flower colors can be seen. They are expensive and are all used as household potted ornamentals.
Propagation Methods of Hydrangea
Commonly used methods are division, layering, cuttings and tissue culture propagation.
Division propagation: best carried out in early spring before sprouting. Separate rooted branches from the mother plant, pot them directly, do not water too much, maintain in semi-shade, and after new buds sprout, switch to normal care.
Layering propagation: carried out when buds begin to move. Roots can grow after 30 days. In the following spring, cut from the mother plant and transplant with soil, and it can flower the same year.
Cutting propagation: carried out during the plum rain season. Cut off the tender tips, about 20 cm long, remove the lower leaves. The suitable temperature for cutting is 13-18°C, and roots form 15 days after cutting.
Tissue culture propagation: use dormant buds as explants, disinfect them routinely, then inoculate them on MS medium supplemented with 0.8 mg/L 6-benzylaminopurine and 2 mg/L indoleacetic acid to cultivate adventitious buds. When the seedlings are 2-3 cm tall, transfer them to 1/2MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L indoleacetic acid to grow into complete small plantlets.
Potted hydrangeas commonly use 15-20 cm pots. After potted plants sprout in spring, pay attention to watering fully to ensure the leaves do not wilt. During the flowering period from June to July, fertilizer and water should be sufficient, fertilizing once every half month or using "Huiyou" 21-7-7 acid fertilizer. When light is too strong in midsummer, appropriately shade to prolong the flowering viewing period. After flowering, remove the flower stems to encourage new branches. Flower color is affected by soil acidity and alkalinity: in acidic soil the flowers are blue, and in alkaline soil the flowers are red. Repot once every spring. Prune appropriately to maintain a graceful plant shape.
Cultivation Techniques of Hydrangea Cultivation Management
Hydrangea likes warmth and humidity, is not tolerant of drought, and also avoids waterlogging; it likes a semi-shaded environment, is not cold-tolerant, and is suitable for growing in fertile, well-drained acidic soil. Soil acidity and alkalinity have a very obvious effect on hydrangea flower color. When the soil is acidic, the flowers are blue; when the soil is alkaline, the flowers are red. Hydrangea is best cultivated in acidic soil (suitable pH 4-4.5).
Hydrangea likes fertilizer. During the growing period, generally apply once every 15 days a dilute, well-rotted cake fertilizer solution. To maintain soil acidity, 1%-3% ferrous sulfate can be added to the fertilizer solution. Regular watering with alum fertilizer water can make the plant branch luxuriantly and leaves green; adding 1-2 applications of potassium dihydrogen phosphate during the bud stage can make the flowers large and brightly colored; applying cake fertilizer should avoid the dog days to prevent pests and diseases and damage to the root system.
Hydrangea leaves are large and the branches and leaves are lush, so it needs a relatively large amount of water. In the growing seasons of spring, summer and autumn, water sufficiently to keep the potting soil often moist. In summer, when the weather is hot and evaporation is high, in addition to watering sufficiently, also spray water on the leaves every day. The roots of hydrangea are fleshy roots, so watering must not be excessive, and water accumulation in the pot is taboo, otherwise root rot will occur. After September, as the weather gradually turns cooler, gradually reduce the amount of watering. Before Frost's Descent, move it indoors, and the room temperature should be maintained at about 4 degrees. Before bringing it indoors, remove the leaves to prevent leaf rot. In winter, the plant should be placed in a sunny indoor spot, and it is best to take it outdoors after Grain Rain the following year. Hydrangea management is relatively extensive, with few pests and diseases, making it an ideal potted flower that is relatively easy to manage and cultivate. [3]
Four-Season Care
Hydrangea is also known as grass hydrangea and flowers from June to July. The flowers are initially white, gradually turning pink or blue, in large spherical heads composed of sterile flowers. When the many flowers bloom, it is like snow pressing down on the tree, charming and moving. Its branches and leaves are densely spread, and its roots are fleshy. It has strong adaptability and can be planted in the ground in family courtyards or in a corner of a small courtyard, and is also suitable for pot cultivation to add color to balconies and windows.
Hydrangea likes semi-shade and humid environments and is not very cold-tolerant. In the intense heat of summer, avoid direct sunlight, otherwise the leaves easily scorch, wither and turn yellow. It is not suitable for excessively dry conditions and prefers light loam rich in humus, moist, and well-drained. Branches and leaves easily wilt and wither after frost. When cultivated in the open ground, the aboveground part dies in winter, and the following year new shoots sprout from the rhizome and bloom again. If overwintered as a potted plant in a greenhouse, it can remain evergreen.
The key points of four-season care and management are as follows.
Spring: For potted plants, prune dead branches and repot with fresh soil. After the plant adapts, apply one or two dilute liquid fertilizers mainly based on nitrogen fertilizer to promote the sprouting of branches and leaves.
Summer and autumn: Place in semi-shade or under a curtain shed to prevent direct sunlight and avoid leaves turning yellow and scorching. Apply one or two additional fertilizers before and after flowering to promote green leaves and abundant flowers. After the flowers fade, promptly remove the flower stems to maintain a beautiful appearance. Keep the potting soil often moist, but prevent water accumulation after rain to prevent the fleshy roots of hydrangea from rotting due to excessive water.
Winter: After the beginning of winter, plants cultivated in the open ground should be earthed up for warmth so they can overwinter safely; potted plants can be placed in a warm place facing south and sunny, without cold wind. In winter, although the dead leaves fall off, the roots and branches remain alive, and new leaves sprout again the following spring. [5]
Soil Replacement and Pruning
For potted hydrangeas, generally repot and replace the soil once every year. Repotting and soil replacement are best carried out in early March. The new soil is prepared with a ratio of 4 parts leaf mold, 4 parts garden soil and 2 parts sand,
then add an appropriate amount of well-rotted cake fertilizer as base fertilizer. When repotting, prune the plant's root system, cutting off decayed roots, rotten roots and overly long fibrous roots. After moving the plant into the new pot, press the soil firm, then water thoroughly, place it in a shaded place for about 10 days, then move it outdoors for normal management.
To make potted hydrangeas have a beautiful crown and bloom more, the plant must be pruned. Hydrangea grows vigorously and is tolerant of pruning. Generally, after the seedlings survive and grow to 10-15 cm tall, pinch them to allow the lower axillary buds to sprout. Then select 4 well-sprouted new branches in the middle and upper parts, and remove all the lower axillary buds. When the new branches grow to 8-10 cm, pinch them a second time. Hydrangea generally blooms on robust two-year-old branches. After flowering, the old branches should be cut short, retaining 2-3 buds, to limit the plant from growing too tall and to encourage new shoots. After autumn, cut off the tips of the new shoots to stop branch growth and facilitate overwintering. After such pruning, the plant shape becomes more graceful, greatly enhancing its ornamental value.
Disease Control of Hydrangea
The main diseases are wilt disease, powdery mildew and leaf spot disease, which can be controlled by spraying a 600-fold solution of 65% zineb wettable powder. Pests include aphids and mirids, which can be killed by spraying a 1500-fold solution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.
Variety Classification of Hydrangea
1. Alpengluehn, flowers deep red or rose red.
2. Chaperon Rouge, leaves small, dark green; flowers light rose red to carmine.
3. Enziandom, leaves dark green; flowers bright red; if soil pH is below 5, the flowers turn deep blue.
4. Flamboyant, leaves small; flowers large, carmine; flower diameter 5 cm.
5. Kuhnert, leaves small, serrated; normal flowers rose red, can turn blue. Treatment with aluminum sulfate can produce sky-blue flowers with beige centers.
6. Merveille, flowers carmine or rose red, can change to blue or light purple.
7. Otaksa, an old variety with more than 100 years of history, a dwarf variety bred in Japan; flowers pink or blue.
8. Regula, leaves small and compact; flowers pale greenish white; a variety selected and bred in Germany.
9. Rosabelle, inflorescence large, carmine or rose red, flower diameter 20-25 cm. Stratford, leaves small, dark green; flowers rose red.
10. Todi, flowers pink; treatment with aluminum sulfate can turn them purple.
11. var. hortensis, flowers completely sterile.
12. var. mandshurica, stems dark purple; leaves elliptic; flowers rose-colored.
13. var. macrosepala, flowers white, petal margins toothed. var. coerulea, flowers deep blue, marginal flowers blue or white.
14. var. maculata, leaf margins white.
Uses and Purposes of Hydrangea
Hydrangea has large, beautiful flowers and is a famous ornamental plant in the Yangtze River Basin. In gardens, it can be placed under sparse tree shade and beside tree-lined paths, or planted in patches on shaded slopes. Because it does not demand much sunlight, it is most suitable for planting in small courtyards with poorer sunlight. Planting two plants opposite each other at a building entrance, planting a row along a building, or planting a clump in a corner of a courtyard are all ideal. It is even more suitable for planting as a flower hedge or in a flower border. If the entire flower ball is cut off and placed in a vase indoors, it is also a top-grade decorative item. Hanging the flower ball inside a bed canopy feels even more elegant and interesting.
Cultural Background of Hydrangea
According to legend, once the Eight Immortals went to Yaochi to attend the Queen Mother of the West's peach banquet. On the way back they passed by the East China Sea, which alarmed the Dragon King of the East China Sea. The Dragon King's nine sons were ordered to investigate on the surface of the sea. Among them, the Dragon King's seventh prince saw that He Xiangu among the Eight Immortals was beautiful, so he stirred up wind and waves on the sea and took the opportunity to seize He Xiangu and bring her to the dragon palace. The other seven great immortals were furious, each raised their magic treasures, which transformed into seven red-scaled fire dragons, and spewed fierce flames at the sea surface. In an instant, the seawater boiled and rolled. The Dragon King of the East China Sea felt unbearably hot in the dragon palace, and hearing the deafening roar outside, the dragon palace shook even more violently. After asking the reason, he angrily rebuked the seventh prince, bound him with his own hands, and invited He Xiangu to sit in a dragon sedan, carried by the other eight dragon sons, rising to the sea surface to apologize to the immortals. When the seven immortals saw He Xiangu return safely and the Dragon King personally escorting the seventh prince to apologize, their anger subsided, and they expressed willingness to turn hostility into friendship. The Dragon King presented flowers to the Eight Immortals to express his apology. The Eight Immortals brought the fresh flowers to China. The flowers were clustered in masses, just like a big hydrangea, and indeed had beautiful flowers and leaves, gorgeous and colorful, extraordinary. Thus a beautiful scenery was added to the garden of a hundred flowers. When people learned that this flower was brought by the Eight Immortals, they affectionately called it "Eight Immortals flower."
Flower Language of Hydrangea
Hydrangea is named after the Eight Immortals, so it implies "the Eight Immortals cross the sea, each displaying their own powers." In the United Kingdom, this flower is metaphorically associated with "heartlessness" and "cruelty." In China, this flower is used as a metaphor for: hope, health, enduring love, pride, cold love, happiness and reunion.
Medicinal or Dietary Therapeutic Value of Hydrangea
The medical information and health dietary information on Huahua Network are for reference only and cannot be used as a basis for diagnosis or medical treatment. Any health problem should be consulted with professional medical personnel, and treatment of any disease should follow a doctor's advice.
Ultimate flower-protecting task: to love yourself, start from reality and strictly follow a doctor's advice. For illness, do not be careless, do not delay, do not give up hope, face it bravely, warm the silent world with love, and protect the flower field in your heart with care.
Medicinal Effects
Selected Formula One
Hydrangea ("Illustrated Examination of Plant Names")
[Aliases] Fentuan flower, ziyang flower ("Modern Practical Chinese Medicine"). [Source] The roots, leaves and flowers of the Saxifragaceae plant bigleaf hydrangea.
[Collection] Harvested in spring and summer.
[Nature and Flavor] "Common Chinese Herbal Medicines of Sichuan": "Bitter, slightly pungent, cold, slightly toxic."
[Functions and Indications] 1. "Modern Practical Chinese Medicine": "An antimalarial drug, with effects similar to Dichroa febrifuga. Also used for heart disease." 2. "Common Chinese Herbal Medicines of Sichuan": "Treats malaria, heart heat with palpitations, and restlessness."
[Usage and Dosage] Internal use: decoct in water, 15-20 grams. External use: wash with decoction or grind into juice and apply.
Selected Formula Two
1. Treat malaria: hydrangea leaves 15 grams, Dichroa febrifuga 10 grams, decoct in water and take. 2. Treat scrotal eczema: seven fentuan flowers, decoct in water and wash the affected area. 3. Treat rotten throat: fentuan root, grind with vinegar into juice; apply to the affected area with a chicken feather, and recovery occurs when saliva is produced. (Selected formulas from "Modern Practical Chinese Medicine")
Usage and dosage: Internal use: decoct in water, 15-20 grams. External use: wash with decoction or grind into juice and apply.
Selected Formula Three
1. Treat malaria: hydrangea leaves 15 grams, Dichroa febrifuga 10 grams, decoct in water and take. 2. Treat scrotal eczema: seven fentuan flowers, decoct in water and wash the affected area. 3. Treat rotten throat: fentuan root, grind with vinegar into juice; apply to the affected area with a chicken feather, and recovery occurs when saliva is produced. (Selected formulas from "Modern Practical Chinese Medicine")
Toxicity: In people's imagination, it seems as a matter of course edible as cotton candy and large round bread, but in fact, once hydrangea is eaten, abdominal pain appears after a few hours. Other typical poisoning symptoms include skin pain, vomiting, weakness and sweating, and there are reports that patients may even experience coma, convulsions and collapse of blood circulation in the body. Fortunately, an antidote for hydrangea poisoning has now been developed.
Hydrangea Pictures