Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Hydrangeas and How to Fix Them
In daily life, when people grow hydrangeas, they often notice the leaves turning yellow. If this is not dealt with in time, it can easily cause the hydrangea to die outright. However, many people do not know why hydrangea leaves turn yellow, so they also do not know how to handle it. So what should you do when hydrangea leaves turn yellow? In fact, the solutions are very simple. Let's take a look together below.
I. Reasons for Yellowing Leaves on Hydrangeas
1. Direct sunlight
Although hydrangeas also need light when being grown, they cannot be exposed to sunlight for long periods, otherwise the leaves of the hydrangea will turn yellow. Therefore, during the growing period, avoid direct sunlight. Only in this way can you prevent the leaves from turning yellow.
2. Over-fertilizing
During the fertilizing process for hydrangeas, applying fertilizer that is too concentrated or using raw fertilizer can very easily burn the roots, which leads to yellowing leaves. If the plant has not been repotted for a long time, especially if it lacks nitrogen fertilizer, the plant cannot get enough nutrients for growth, and the leaves lose their green color and turn yellow.
3. Insufficient watering
Hydrangeas like a moist and shady growing environment, and they have a relatively high demand for water. Therefore, if you water too little, the leaves of the hydrangea will turn yellow, and it may even cause the roots of the hydrangea to rot. So everyone should pay extra attention during care.
4. Alkaline soil
If the soil in which the hydrangea is planted is alkaline, or if it is watered with alkaline or neutral water for a long time, the soil will lack iron, and the leaf color will gradually turn yellow. The main signs are that the young leaves at the tips of the branches turn yellow and the old leaves turn yellow, but the leaf veins remain green. As the condition worsens, the entire plant's leaves will turn yellow, the leaf margins will scorch, and they will gradually fall off.
II. What to Do When Hydrangea Leaves Turn Yellow
1. Reduce the amount of light exposure
If there is too little light, appropriately increase the light exposure time, and it will gradually recover. If the light is too strong, immediately move the plant to a cool, shaded place to avoid direct sunlight. At the same time, frequently spray water on the leaves and the surrounding environment to increase air humidity, and the leaves will gradually return to green.
2. Water appropriately
When too much fertilizer has been applied, immediately stop fertilizing and water lightly. Or simply take the plant out of its pot, rinse the plant with clean water, change the soil, and replant it. If the yellowing leaves are caused by too little fertilizer, change the soil and fertilize in time, watering with a diluted liquid fertilizer about once every 10 days, and the leaves will gradually turn green.
3. Replant and grow again
When too much fertilizer has been applied, immediately stop fertilizing and water lightly. Or simply take the plant out of its pot, rinse the plant with clean water, change the soil, and replant it. If the yellowing leaves are caused by too little fertilizer, change the soil and fertilize in time, watering with a diluted liquid fertilizer about once every 10 days, and the leaves will gradually turn green.
4. Change the pot and soil to prevent yellowing leaves
When planting or when repotting and changing the soil, add sulfur powder to the soil to ensure the soil is acidic, and its effective period can last 2-3 years. In spring and autumn, when the branches and leaves are lush, apply alum fertilizer water once every 15 days, which can prevent the occurrence of chlorosis in the plant and make the leaves bright and deep green.
Conclusion: Through the detailed introduction above, I believe everyone now knows the reasons for yellowing leaves on hydrangeas. Generally speaking, it is usually caused by overly strong light. Therefore, during care, it is best to grow hydrangeas in a shady and moist place so that the hydrangea leaves can turn green again. Now flower lovers should also be clear on what to do when hydrangea leaves turn yellow.