How do you tranfer potted hydrangeas from outside to inside, do we have to cut them and where should they be?

they are the regular red plants in a pot to put on a deck, should I fertalize, should I cut them down, will they be nice next spring, what should I expect

How do you tranfer potted hydrangeas from outside to inside, do we have to cut them and where should they be?
Hydrangeas are very hardy plants, so I'm uncertain as to why you would want to move them indoors. They range in hardiness from USDA Z3-5. So unless you are in zones 1 or 2, I wouldn't bother to move them in at all.





Be sure to check which varieties you have and find out the zones for them to be sure. Here is a link to help you with pruning: http://www.colorchoiceplants.com/hydrang...





Good luck.
Reply:Hydrangeas are usually grown out doors, but the flowers are used often in dried and fresh arrangements.


They should be fertilised, you can use a prepared slow release fertiliser or an organic one but that also depends on how long your plant has been in the pot and if it had fertiliser in the potting mix. If its been in the same pot for 6mths or more then its best to do so.


They normally die back for winter, loosing all their leaves, this is the time to prune them. Cutting back to a bud and not removing by rule more than a third of the plant. You will see the buds beginning to swell and this is a good time to do your pruning. They will come back strong for you in Spring but keep an eye on their roots and if they start coming out from the base of the pot it is in, you should then put your plant into a larger pot.


If you are not sure about fertiliser, ask someone at your local garden Centre, they should be able to help you, as I am not sure where you live, I cannot recommend as Brand names vary from Country to Country, myself being in Australia. Fertiliser can often change the colour of you re Hydrangea flowers from Pink shades to Blue, so tell them the colour of your plant. They are also prefer some shade so dont put it where it gets full sun and exteme heat.
Reply:CUT YOUR PLANT DOWN TO ABOUT 6 INCHES, DO NOT FERTALIZE, BUT WATER THEM JUST ENOUGH TO DAMPEN THE SOIL. THEN PUT THEM IN A DARK ROOM THAT IS COOL AND LEAVE THEM TILL SPRING. ABOUT THE END OF FEBUARY TAKE THEM OUT, WATER THEM GOOD AND PUT THEM IN AN EAST WINDOW TO CATCH THE SUN. WHEN ALL FROST IS GONE PUT THEM OUT SIDE A BIT EACH DAY BUT NOT FOR LONG. WHEN IT IS SAFE YOU CAN PUT THEM OUT AGAIN FOR THE SUMMER. GOOD LUCK


JOANN

ada