The expert revealed what are the subtleties of caring for this plant and what work you can expect to get the biggest flowers.
The main rules
According to the farmer, the most important thing to know about hydrangeas is how to prune them. According to him, in this way you will allow the bush to grow freely and freely and pile up abundant flowers.
“The most important thing is to cut the old branches in the spring so that the bush is compact, the flowers go up from the ground, because without cutting hydrangeas for a number of years, the bush grows and grows at the bottom and, first of all, the ends of the branches explode.
Then it turns out that half a meter of the plant will consist of branches, half a meter of leaves and only then will the flowers begin. And when we cut it, we form a bush, then the flowers grow from the ground up,” explained the farmer.
“Pruning should be started before the buds burst. Usually around March. But we cut them at the nursery in the fall, because there is no time left in the spring. And where we grow all the specimens that grow on the ground, we also prune them in February-March.
And if you haven’t pruned hydrangeas yet, you can still do it. It is necessary to prune the weak thin branches, and leave strong and strong ones.
In reality, we cut a 1.5 meter bush to about 40 centimeters every year. There are even bushes that are 15 years old and we still trim them to be below the knees,” he claimed.
Also, D. Venckevičius added that it is not necessary to water the plants often, and it is enough to fertilize only once a year:
“If the plant does not grow for the first year, then fertilize it in the spring. And it will be great if you fertilize in the fall with autumn fertilizers.
And watering is required 2-3 times a month for the first year. During the heat – once a week. And then unless there is a total drought. But an irrigation system is not really needed, unless the hydrangea grows in sand dunes or forests.”
Planting hydrangeas
Earlier on the website derlingas.lt it was written that it is important to know how to plant hydrangeas correctly. Hydrangeas are planted singly or in groups of several different species. It looks good in a flower garden among perennial flowering, leafy plants.
Hydrangeas are combined with rhododendrons, roses, bluebells, ferns, they look good against the background of tall trees. They are also grown in hedges.
Hydrangea growing area. Hydrangeas grow best in open, sunny, wind-protected areas. It grows poorly under trees and in full shade. For climbing hydrangea, unlike other species, it is better to choose a place that is not hot, not exposed to the sun for a long time, or in semi-shade.
Land for hydrangeas. Acidic, fertile, light, water-permeable soil is suitable for this shrub. Light hydrangea can also be planted in medium fertility, neutral soil. The color of hydrangea flowers depends on the acidity of the soil.
In alkaline soil, the flowers of colored hydrangea varieties will be pink, lilac, in acidic soil – blue, in neutral soil – pale cream.
Planting and propagation of hydrangeas. Hydrangea can be grown from a semi-woody cutting or you can buy an already grown seedling in a nursery.
Hydrangeas are planted spring or fall to moist but well-drained soil. Plant hydrangea seedlings immediately after purchase.
If the seedling is in a pot, it can be transplanted outside during the entire warm season. Planting hydrangeas in the fall must be done before the ground freezes. Before planting, the hydrangea seedling is well watered, and after planting, it is mulched and fertilized.
Propagating hydrangea cuttings, they are prepared in the first half of June. Annual semi-woody hydrangea shoots are pruned. Such shoots are cut into pieces about 20 cm long, then stuck in a mixture of peat and sand in greenhouses or unheated greenhouses, covered with polyethylene film or jars.
When the cuttings take root, they are transplanted to a permanent place of growth, where they have time to establish themselves by autumn. A hydrangea grown from a cutting should bloom after 2-3 years.
Constant care
It is also important to know what care hydrangeas need on an ongoing basis. The page listed 4 important points needed for hydrangea care.
Hydrangea watering. Newly planted hydrangea bushes are watered regularly during the first growing season, when dry weather lasts for 7-10 days. Adult hydrangeas also like moisture, so if you water them in dry weather, hydrangeas will produce more.
Fertilizing hydrangeas. Adult hydrangeas do not need to be fertilized regularly. Too much fertilizer will encourage the development of foliage, and in this case, the plant will load fewer flowers.
Hydrangea pruning. Many species of hydrangeas are pruned in early spring. Bright hydrangea, unlike most species, is pruned in autumn. It is not necessary to prune it in the spring, because this hydrangea loads its flowers on this year’s shoots.
Hydrangea flowers that have bloomed do not need to be removed immediately, as they help the young shoots to protect themselves from winter frosts. It is better to do it in the spring.
Hydrangea care. Large hydrangea inflorescences bend their branches to the ground, so hydrangeas are fenced or planted in groups. It is recommended to mulch hydrangeas in the spring so that the soil surface does not dry out too quickly.
Diseases and pests of hydrangeas
Hydrangea is quite resistant to pests, but it is not immune to some diseases and parasitic insects.
One of the most common diseases of hydrangeas is powdery mildew. Fungicides, Bordeaux mixture solution will help fight it.
Aphids are a common pest of hydrangeas. A good remedy against these insects is a garlic infusion: pour 250 grams of crushed garlic into 10 liters of water.
Before use, this infusion is allowed to settle for two days, then 50 g of grated household soap is added to it. The infusion is mixed well. A bush damaged by aphids is sprayed with garlic infusion 1 time in 7 days until the pests disappear.
Source: derlingas.lt
Tags: farmer gave golden tips care hydrangeas bloom spectacularly
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