What about other things?
When should you prune hydrangeas? how?
It really depends on the variety but for the more common mophead type the dead flowerheads can be removed after flowering, but it is better to leave them on the plant over winter as they will provide some frost protection for the rather tender growth buds below them. Instead, remove the dead flowerheads in early spring, cutting back to the first strong, healthy pair of buds lower down the stem.
If there is any frost damage in spring, prune back damaged shoots to just above the first undamaged pair of buds on live, healthy wood. Also remove any weak, straggly stems.
Reply:Most hydrangeas bloom on old wood so you don't want to prune them too far back. Wait until late winter or early spring, when you first start to see green leaf buds emerge. Cut back to just above the leaf bud. I wouldn't prune more than 1/3 of the growth back to ensure you still get blooms. There are some new varieties out such as Endless Summer that rebloom all through summer and fall because they bloom on both old and new wood. They can be pruned at any time. If you want your hydrangeas to turn blue you should start fertilizing them now with Aluminum Sulfate or Hydrangea Blueing Formula. It's important to start early, long before buds form.
Reply:You don't say where you are. In SoCal we prune Hydrangeas the same time we prune roses- now. I just did 3 this morning. I always cut to just above some green sprouts. Depending on how low or high you want them, cut high or low but always to a sprout. I have cut into brown wood only to have that branch die. Good luck :-)
Reply:once the frosts are out of the way cut down to about half inch above new bud but Look @ overall shape a nice round one is best good luck
Reply:I won't repeat what the others said .... Deena has the right answer. Yet, even after proper pruning you may not get as many blooms as hoped if an old variety( nikko Blue or pink beauty for example) . One thing that I had success with last year was putting the hydrangeas under some stress to make them bloom if you are only getting healthy green leaves with no bloom. the way to do this, is take a spade and cut the roots all the way around the plant down about a foot, but not too close to the root ball. I didn't think it would work ,but it did!!
good luck
Reply:they say after they're done flowering. i do them in the spring and then i cut them down to the first bud. caution, don't cut them down to the ground if you want them to flower this season, i found this out the hard way. ( disclaimer ) pending the variety.
As far as other things , in general spring and fall are the best times pending the situation .
Saturday, November 14, 2009
How can I grow Hydrangeas in Az.?
If you are in the southern portion of the state, plant along a north or northwest facing wall to cut down on sun exposure, as they will fade and burn. If you are up north, you can adjust the planting location a bit, but I'd still avoid direct southern exposure.
Water at least twice a week. Ask a garden shop what the best feed/feeding schedule is.
Water at least twice a week. Ask a garden shop what the best feed/feeding schedule is.
How do I winter Hydrangeas in Southern Ontario in the garden?
Hydrangeas bloom on " second year growth " so you dont want to cut them back. That is, the flowers will only bloom on stems that grew and didn't flower the year before. They may seem dead after the first frost, but you shouldn't cut them if you want flowers next spring. Let the plant take it's natural course...in the spring you will see new buds on the canes. If they do not bud and turn brown and brittle, you can remove them by cutting them at the base. Also, to turn the hydrangea flowers blue instead of pink, add a little Aluminum Sulfate to the soil in early spring..follow package directions. It is sold at any garden store or nursery.
How do I winter Hydrangeas in Southern Ontario in the garden?
After the first Freeze has blackend the tops, cut them down- %26amp; put a layer of Mulch (leaves work fine) over them until the Spring. Remove it in early April- %26amp; there you go! :)
How do I winter Hydrangeas in Southern Ontario in the garden?
After the first Freeze has blackend the tops, cut them down- %26amp; put a layer of Mulch (leaves work fine) over them until the Spring. Remove it in early April- %26amp; there you go! :)
How do you dry hydrangeas for dry floral arrangements? Any tricks for keeping their colors?
the two that answered above are both right. You can use silica or you can dry them naturally and use hairspray. One thing that is important, if you live in a part of the country that has high humidity. If so, they flowers tend to die before they dry and go brown.
If you decide to hang them upside down, make sure its in the dark so the colour doesn't fade.
How do you dry hydrangeas for dry floral arrangements? Any tricks for keeping their colors?
silica will remove moisture and retain color. You can also send them to professionals and have them dried (i.e. check the net for places) I have a friend who does this for a living. Many people send wedding bouquets, special occasion flowers etc.
Reply:once you cut the flower, hang them separately upside down. once they are dry you can go the inexpensive way by spraying them with hair spray. the aerosol kind usually works best.
addis
If you decide to hang them upside down, make sure its in the dark so the colour doesn't fade.
How do you dry hydrangeas for dry floral arrangements? Any tricks for keeping their colors?
silica will remove moisture and retain color. You can also send them to professionals and have them dried (i.e. check the net for places) I have a friend who does this for a living. Many people send wedding bouquets, special occasion flowers etc.
Reply:once you cut the flower, hang them separately upside down. once they are dry you can go the inexpensive way by spraying them with hair spray. the aerosol kind usually works best.
addis
Why don't my HYDRANGEAS have any blooms on them this year?
They are Endless Summer variety and I have pruned them the same way every year. I'm confused. They are big, healthy shrubs that look great, just no blooms yet. Very disapointing; especially when my next door neighbors are HALF the size and half numerous blooms! I don't get it! HELP!!!
Why don't my HYDRANGEAS have any blooms on them this year?
Some varieties don't bloom year after year. The Mophead (rounded) varieties are notorious for not blooming year after year.
Also, a lack of blooms could be due to pruning at the wrong time.
There may be a general lack of Phosphorous in the soil, %26amp; too much Nitrogen may have caused a lot of leafy growth at the expense of blooms.
Or...sometimes hydrangea will leaf out early in the spring during a warm spell and then get caught in a late spring freeze. If the new growth came only from the ground, then types of hydrange that blooms only on old wood will not bloom this year.
The smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), bloom on new wood so if you prune in late winter or early spring, you won't accidentally cut off this year's flowers. Others, like some mopheads and many big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) bloom on old wood, so any late-season (or fall or winter) pruning you do erases next year's flowers.
You can "prune a third of the stems of mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) to the ground after blooming and cut off flower heads when they become tattered. But do not prune the flowerless straight shoots without side branches because these are the ones that will branch out and flower next year."*
'Endless Summer' is type of mophead hydrangea that will bloom no matter when they are pruned, %26amp; will regenerate the bloom bud even if the spring frost destroyed its old blooms. Your hydrangea might have been hit by frost %26amp; now may be trying to bloom on new wood. Your neighbor's hydrangea might have a head start over yours because it may be blooming on old wood that was protected from frost. Or maybe your neighbor has a different type of hydrangea?
They are heavy feeders. To encourage flowering, use a fertilizer low in Nitrogen and with a Phosphorus content over 30. (An N-P-K ratio of 10-40-10 is ideal) %26amp; fertilize them regularly. Organic soil enriched with compost is best. If using store-bought fertilizers %26amp; you don't want to fuss with a scheduled feeding of fertilizer, you can also use a slow-release fertilizer like osmacote or use manure around your plants. Water on a regular basis.
Too much shade will also retard the development of flowers. Full sun can scorch the leaves so part sun to shade is best. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. In frost zones, winter protection %26amp; planting in an area away from drying winter winds helps.
Here's a forum that discusses your question of "Why Won't Endless Summer Bloom":
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/...
Good luck! Hope this helps.
Reply:I'm wishing you Lots of luck! I'm so happpy this was helpful. I had a feeling you would appreciate the websites. I was beginning to feel my imput was getting long-winded. LOL ;) Report It
Reply:i can tell you this much about them,they are very picky as plants go about thier growing conditions,read up on line,i have many customers who grow them and they all groan about missing the cool blooms on bad years,i have seen some on the same property look awesome while others maybe twenty feet away looking bad,this is a plant you need to readup on and pay attention to
Reply:All of mine have bloomed abundantly. We did have a very weird spring in many areas, though.....perhaps that screwed up their cycles.
Why don't my HYDRANGEAS have any blooms on them this year?
Some varieties don't bloom year after year. The Mophead (rounded) varieties are notorious for not blooming year after year.
Also, a lack of blooms could be due to pruning at the wrong time.
There may be a general lack of Phosphorous in the soil, %26amp; too much Nitrogen may have caused a lot of leafy growth at the expense of blooms.
Or...sometimes hydrangea will leaf out early in the spring during a warm spell and then get caught in a late spring freeze. If the new growth came only from the ground, then types of hydrange that blooms only on old wood will not bloom this year.
The smooth hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens), bloom on new wood so if you prune in late winter or early spring, you won't accidentally cut off this year's flowers. Others, like some mopheads and many big-leaf hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) bloom on old wood, so any late-season (or fall or winter) pruning you do erases next year's flowers.
You can "prune a third of the stems of mophead hydrangeas (H. macrophylla) to the ground after blooming and cut off flower heads when they become tattered. But do not prune the flowerless straight shoots without side branches because these are the ones that will branch out and flower next year."*
'Endless Summer' is type of mophead hydrangea that will bloom no matter when they are pruned, %26amp; will regenerate the bloom bud even if the spring frost destroyed its old blooms. Your hydrangea might have been hit by frost %26amp; now may be trying to bloom on new wood. Your neighbor's hydrangea might have a head start over yours because it may be blooming on old wood that was protected from frost. Or maybe your neighbor has a different type of hydrangea?
They are heavy feeders. To encourage flowering, use a fertilizer low in Nitrogen and with a Phosphorus content over 30. (An N-P-K ratio of 10-40-10 is ideal) %26amp; fertilize them regularly. Organic soil enriched with compost is best. If using store-bought fertilizers %26amp; you don't want to fuss with a scheduled feeding of fertilizer, you can also use a slow-release fertilizer like osmacote or use manure around your plants. Water on a regular basis.
Too much shade will also retard the development of flowers. Full sun can scorch the leaves so part sun to shade is best. Morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal. In frost zones, winter protection %26amp; planting in an area away from drying winter winds helps.
Here's a forum that discusses your question of "Why Won't Endless Summer Bloom":
http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/...
Good luck! Hope this helps.
Reply:I'm wishing you Lots of luck! I'm so happpy this was helpful. I had a feeling you would appreciate the websites. I was beginning to feel my imput was getting long-winded. LOL ;) Report It
Reply:i can tell you this much about them,they are very picky as plants go about thier growing conditions,read up on line,i have many customers who grow them and they all groan about missing the cool blooms on bad years,i have seen some on the same property look awesome while others maybe twenty feet away looking bad,this is a plant you need to readup on and pay attention to
Reply:All of mine have bloomed abundantly. We did have a very weird spring in many areas, though.....perhaps that screwed up their cycles.
I just planted 3 hydrangeas and they aren't looking so good, what should I do? Do they need fertilizer?
If you just planted them, no fertilizer, it will kill them for sure. They need lots of water for one thing. Make sure that when you planted them that the original soil level (from the pot you bought it in) is above the ground level just a bit otherwise you will suffocate them. They need at least afternoon shade too, water water water them the first few days.
I just planted 3 hydrangeas and they aren't looking so good, what should I do? Do they need fertilizer?
hydrangeas are thirsty little things.. water! Water! WATER!!!
Probably a couple times a day until they stabilize.. morning and afternoon.
Reply:They probably are going through shock, which is normal right after planting. Make sure they are partially shaded and give them fertilizer, fish emulsion if you are an organic grower, if not then read the labels on the store bought stuff to see if it is right for your plant.
Reply:Well, you need to be a little bit more descriptive as to what is ailing your hydrangeas. Were these gifts or purchased around Easter? If so, they may not be hardy if you live in a colder climate. If they came from a garden shop and are designated hardy for your area, you should be ok.
They could be suffering from shock of being transplanted, they may need more water, or you may have a soil issue. You should consult a local landscaper or professional gardener.
Reply:YES AND WATER
I just planted 3 hydrangeas and they aren't looking so good, what should I do? Do they need fertilizer?
hydrangeas are thirsty little things.. water! Water! WATER!!!
Probably a couple times a day until they stabilize.. morning and afternoon.
Reply:They probably are going through shock, which is normal right after planting. Make sure they are partially shaded and give them fertilizer, fish emulsion if you are an organic grower, if not then read the labels on the store bought stuff to see if it is right for your plant.
Reply:Well, you need to be a little bit more descriptive as to what is ailing your hydrangeas. Were these gifts or purchased around Easter? If so, they may not be hardy if you live in a colder climate. If they came from a garden shop and are designated hardy for your area, you should be ok.
They could be suffering from shock of being transplanted, they may need more water, or you may have a soil issue. You should consult a local landscaper or professional gardener.
Reply:YES AND WATER
When do I fertilize hydrangeas?
I live in Massachusetts in zone 7
When do I fertilize hydrangeas?
One can use organic additions to the soil, such as manure and compost, or chemical fertilizers.
If fertilizers are used, apply a slow release, balanced fertilizer once in June for more Northern areas. (For the south, apply fertilizer in May %26amp; again in July.)
The amount of fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. A very small plant will take about 1/4 cup. A very large shrub will take 1 - 2 cups spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk).
Never fertilize a plant that looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to it. Try to cure the illness before adding fertilizer.
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/plan...
Reply:Thank you! Report It
When do I fertilize hydrangeas?
One can use organic additions to the soil, such as manure and compost, or chemical fertilizers.
If fertilizers are used, apply a slow release, balanced fertilizer once in June for more Northern areas. (For the south, apply fertilizer in May %26amp; again in July.)
The amount of fertilizer used per plant will vary with the size of the plant. It is much, much better to err on the side of too little fertilizer than too much. A very small plant will take about 1/4 cup. A very large shrub will take 1 - 2 cups spread around the drip line of the branches (not next to the trunk).
Never fertilize a plant that looks sick or wilted. If a plant is struggling due to a disease or root problems, the fertilizer will only add stress to it. Try to cure the illness before adding fertilizer.
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/plan...
Reply:Thank you! Report It
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