A Detailed Guide to Hydrangea Growing Methods and Precautions

Acidic soil

Hydrangeas like slightly acidic soil, so when growing hydrangeas, in addition to watering them normally, you can also mix a few drops of rice vinegar into the water to adjust the soil's pH, thereby helping the hydrangea grow better.

Timely pruning

During the hydrangea's growing season, pinch off the growing tips to encourage side branch growth and make the plant look more attractive. Before winter sets in, shorten its branches appropriately to conserve nutrients and help it survive the winter more easily.

Now that you have mastered the hydrangea growing methods and some points to note when growing them, do you feel more confident about growing thriving hydrangeas? Why not give it a try right now! The editor will be waiting for your good news!

How to Grow Hydrangeas: Precautions for Growing Hydrangeas

The hydrangea is native to Japan and the Sichuan area of China. It was introduced to the UK in 1736. In Europe, it is relatively commonly cultivated in the Netherlands, Germany and France, and hydrangea varieties in colors such as red, blue and purple can be seen in flower shops. There are also many hydrangeas planted in the ground in small courtyards and in front of buildings. The hydrangea gets its name because its flower shape is quite similar to the ancient embroidered ball, and the hydrangea is very beautiful, with a fuzzy cluster when in bloom; so, how should such a beautiful hydrangea be grown? What should be noted during the growing process? Below, we explain the hydrangea growing methods and growing precautions, hoping to help everyone.

Hydrangea Growing Methods and Precautions

1. Temperature. The most suitable growing temperature for hydrangeas is 18 to 28°C, and the temperature for flower bud differentiation must be 5 to 7°C; generally, when the ambient temperature reaches around 20°C, it will bloom. If the ambient temperature can be lowered, its flowering period can also be extended. In winter, the temperature for hydrangeas must not be lower than 5°C.

2. Humidity. Hydrangeas like moisture, and indoor humidity kept at 50% is sufficient. They do not like wet soil, otherwise the leaves will rot; during the plum rain season, particular attention should be paid to soil drainage, and after winter arrives, it is best to keep the potting soil dry.

3. Soil. Hydrangeas prefer well-drained, relatively moist, humus-rich, fertile, light acidic loam (if cultivated long-term in alkaline soil, the leaves tend to turn yellow).

4. Fertilizer and water. Hydrangeas like moisture and dislike waterlogging, so watering should not be excessive, and it is best to keep the soil normally moist. In dry, hot summer weather, water with clear water or spray the leaves with clear water once every day at 3 p.m. In the rainy season, pay attention to drainage to prevent root rot. After winter begins, water again only when the soil looks dry. During the peak growing season, apply fertilizer once a week; in dry, hot summer weather, fertilizer application should be appropriately controlled to prevent excessive vegetative growth. In addition to applying an appropriate amount of horse hoof pieces at the base of the flower pot as a base fertilizer, during the period from when the flower buds are about to differentiate until before flowering, a dilute liquid fertilizer should be applied once every 10 days.

The Flower Language of Hydrangeas

1. Loyalty, referring to loyalty in love and the eternity of mutual affection. Moreover, the hydrangea's round flowers and beautiful posture symbolize an unbreakable bond with family, no matter how long they are apart, they will gather together again, thus implying happiness and reunion. Also, during the short one-month flowering period, its color undergoes many changes. And it is not simply changing from red to blue or from blue to green. Therefore, the hydrangea also indirectly suggests fickleness and inconstancy.

2. Happiness and reunion The hydrangea's round flowers and beautiful posture symbolize an unbreakable bond with family, no matter how long they are apart, they will gather together again.

3. Confidence and pride The hydrangea is a flower with extremely changeable colors. Our lives should be like this too; in the short flower season of youth, we should experience as much as possible. Build as many dimensions of life as possible. It is very ordinary, but never mediocre. It is said to be ordinary because it is not some especially rare and delicate flower.

The Uses of Hydrangeas

1. The hydrangea has a full flower shape, large and beautiful, and its flowers can be red or blue, delighting the eyes and refreshing the mind; it is a common potted ornamental flower and shrub. China cultivated hydrangeas relatively early, and hydrangeas were planted in the 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 all plant them in large patches to form landscapes.

2. The hydrangea is large and beautifully colored, 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 shady 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 cluster in a corner of a courtyard are all ideal. It is even more suitable for planting as a flower hedge or flower border. If the entire flower ball is cut off and placed in a vase indoors, it is also a first-rate decorative item. Hanging the flower ball inside a bed canopy feels even more elegant and pleasurable.

The above is the explanation of hydrangea growing methods and growing precautions for everyone. Is everyone clear now? For more home decoration knowledge, please pay attention.

Hydrangea Growing Methods and Precautions, and the Effects and Uses of Hydrangeas

The hydrangea, also known as grass hydrangea and shade hydrangea, is a deciduous subshrub in the Saxifragaceae family. Today we will share the hydrangea growing methods and precautions, as well as the effects and uses of hydrangeas.

Hydrangea growing methods:

1. Soil: For planting hydrangeas, loose, fertile and well-drained sandy loam is best. But changes in soil pH cause relatively large changes in hydrangea 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. Sunlight: The hydrangea is a short-day plant and needs more than 10 hours of darkness treatment per day, forming flower buds in about 45-50 days. In normal cultivation, avoid scorching sunlight, and 60%-70% shading is most ideal.

3. Temperature: Hydrangeas like a warm environment, with an optimum growing temperature of 18-28°C, and the winter temperature should not be lower than 5°C. A temperature of 20°C can promote flowering; after flowering begins, maintaining the temperature at 16°C can extend the viewing period, but high temperatures make the flowers fade quickly.

4. Watering: Hydrangea leaves are thick and the branches and leaves are lush, so the water requirement is relatively high; in the spring, summer and autumn growing seasons, water sufficiently to keep the potting soil in a constantly moist state. In summer, the weather is hot and water evaporation is high, so it is not only necessary to water, but also to spray the leaves with water every day. The roots of hydrangeas are fleshy roots, so watering must not be excessive, and water accumulation in the pot should be avoided. After September, as the weather turns cooler, gradually reduce the amount of watering.

5. Fertilizing: Hydrangeas like fertilizer; during the growing period, generally apply once every 15 days a fully decomposed dilute cake fertilizer solution. To maintain the soil's acidity, 1%-3% ferrous sulfate can be added to the fertilizer solution and applied. Regularly watering with alum fertilizer water can keep the plant's branches lush and leaves green. Applying 1-2 additional applications of monopotassium phosphate during the bud stage can make the flowers larger and more brightly colored. Applying cake fertilizer should avoid the dog days to prevent disease and insect pests and damage to the root system.

6. Pests and diseases: Hydrangeas mainly suffer from wilt disease, powdery mildew and leaf spot disease, which can be prevented and controlled by spraying with a 600-fold dilution of 65% zineb wettable powder. Pests include aphids and mirid bugs, which can be killed by spraying with a 1500-fold dilution of 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate.

7. Pruning: Hydrangeas grow vigorously; to make potted hydrangeas have a beautiful crown and bloom more, the plant must be pruned. Generally, after the seedlings survive and grow to 10-15 cm tall, pinching should be done to allow the lower axillary buds to sprout.

Hydrangea growing precautions:

Applying fertilizer: The flowering period of hydrangeas is June to July; during the flowering period, fertilizer and water should be sufficient, applying fertilizer once every half month.

Key watering points: The potting soil for growing hydrangeas 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 best kept slightly dry. If too moist, the leaves easily rot.

Pruning essentials: After hydrangeas bloom, pay attention to removing the flower stems to encourage new branches; appropriate pruning can maintain a beautiful plant shape.

Repotting and soil replacement: For potted hydrangeas, generally repot and replace the soil once a year. Repotting and soil replacement should preferably be done in early March. When repotting, prune the plant's root system, cutting off decayed roots, rotten roots and excessively long fibrous roots. After moving the plant into the 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 care.

Propagation essentials: Hydrangeas are commonly propagated by cuttings, division and layering, which can be done during the plum rain season in early spring.

The effects and uses of hydrangeas:

1. The ornamental use of hydrangeas

The hydrangea, also called eight immortals flower or hydrangea, is a plant in the Saxifragaceae family. Its flower shape is unique, and when fully open it looks like a beautiful embroidered ball. Its flower color is changeable, with many colors including white, red and blue; it is one of the common potted flowers and has high ornamental value. In addition, hydrangeas are also common plants in parks and garden scenic areas in various places; they mostly exist in patches and are the most attractive natural scenery in these scenic areas.

2. Hydrangeas can be used as medicine

The hydrangea is a distinctive plant that can be used as medicine. The leaves of this plant have a good therapeutic effect on human malaria; during treatment, 10 grams of hydrangea leaves can be added to 10 grams of yellow changshan, decocted together with clear water and taken. Hydrangea can also be used to treat human kidney sac wind; during treatment, 7 pink hydrangea flowers can be decocted with clear water and then used to wash the affected area.