Follow these exclusive Master Gardener’s Tricks to Grow the Successful Hydrangeas in your garden all year round with best colors!
Hydrangeas, with their extravagant blooms, are a quintessential part of any garden. However, coaxing the best performance from these plants requires more than just basic gardening skills. This guide will share some secret Master Gardener’s Tricks to Grow the Successful Hydrangeas!
Find out what side of the house you must plant Hydrangeas here
Master Gardener’s Tricks to Grow the Successful Hydrangeas
1. Understanding the Impact of Soil pH on Hydrangea Colors
The soil pH directly affects the hue of hydrangea flowers. Acidic soil (pH less than 7) leads to blue hydrangeas, while alkaline soil (pH above 7) produces pink ones.
To manipulate the color, adjust the soil pH slowly and cautiously using aluminum sulfate for acidification or garden lime for alkalinization. Start this treatment in the early stages of plant growth to avoid any sudden shock.
Here’s How to Check Your Soil pH at Home
2. Leveraging Mulching and Soil Amendments
Mulching is crucial for maintaining soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, and reducing weed competition. Organic mulches like pine needles or shredded leaves also enrich the soil by adding nutrients as they decompose.
In addition, amendments like coffee grounds can be beneficial for their nitrogen content, promoting healthier leaf growth and lowering soil pH. Crushed eggshells, high in calcium, help in strengthening cell walls, improving overall plant health.
Check out some great eggshell ideas for gardeners here
3. Pruning Hydrangeas Based on Wood Type
Recognizing the hydrangea type is fundamental to successful pruning. For Bigleaf, Oakleaf, Mountain, and Climbing hydrangeas that bloom on old wood, prune them soon after they’ve finished blooming.
Conversely, Smooth and Panicle hydrangeas bloom on new wood, so these should be pruned in late winter or early spring, prior to the emergence of new shoots.
Here are 8 Secret Master Gardener’s Tips to Get the Most Colorful and Vibrant Flowers
4. Boosting Blooms with Specialized Fertilizers
Fertilizing hydrangeas with a phosphorus-heavy product encourages blossoming. An NPK ratio where the middle number is highest, such as 10-30-10, is ideal.
Apply this specialized fertilizer in early spring when the plants start to break dormancy, then again in mid-summer to support continuous blooming.
Check out Super Quick Banana Peel Powder Fertilizer Recipe for More Flowers here
5. Employing Lesser-Known Additives
Applying a solution of water-dissolved aspirin can promote bloom production and offer some disease resistance, mimicking the effects of salicylic acid, a naturally occurring plant hormone.
In addition, hydrangea cuttings that have wilted can be revived by placing them in a bucket of water, wrapped with aluminum foil, and set in the sun for a few hours.
6. Exploring the Advantages of Companion Planting
Selecting companion plants with similar light, soil, and moisture requirements can enhance the overall health of your hydrangeas.
Companion plants like Hostas, ferns, astilbe, and heuchera can not only share resources harmoniously but also create an aesthetically pleasing garden display.
Here are 14 Companion Planting Combination Ideas
7. Unlocking Blooming Potential with Special Horticultural Substances
“Bloom Booster” fertilizer, high in phosphorus, can stimulate better flowering. Chelated iron supplements are another secret weapon, enhancing chlorophyll production and ensuring vibrant leaf color, particularly in alkaline soils where iron may be less bioavailable.
In addition, superphosphate, rich in phosphorus, stimulates vigorous root development and encourages blossoming. Anti-transpirant sprays, on the other hand, are employed to minimize water loss due to transpiration, helping the plants maintain hydration even under high-temperature conditions.
8. Propagating Success with Rooting Hormones
Successful hydrangea propagation often involves using rooting hormones, which contain indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) or naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). These substances stimulate root development on cuttings, enhancing the likelihood of successful new plant growth.
Using Honey As Rooting Hormone Works! Proven in Studies
9. Bolstering Plant Health with Biostimulants
Biostimulants like seaweed extracts, beneficial bacteria, or fungi enhance plant vigor, increase stress resistance, and stimulate flower production.
They are typically applied either as a soil drench or foliar spray, providing a steady release of nutrients to support ongoing plant health.
10. Timing Watering for Optimal Health
Watering hydrangeas in the morning sets them up for the hot afternoon and decreases the likelihood of fungal diseases, which can develop if the leaves remain wet overnight.
Hydrangeas should be watered deeply three times a week to encourage robust root development.
