Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Taking care of hydrangeas?

I planted 3 hydrangea plants for my grandmother for mother's day this year. They all have blooms and have really gotten large, except for one. It has 2 large blooms on it but it really isn't seeming to get much larger. Should I clip off the blooms or just let it be? It isn't dying, just not getting bigger.
Taking care of hydrangeas?
Most plants need one to three years to really establish themselves. Let them go, every year they will get bigger and produce more and more blooms. If you want to fertilize it I recommend "Holly Tone" fertilizer for acid loving plants. My Nikko Blue hydrangea's love it and they are bright sky blue almost an aqua color. And don't forget they like moist soil so water them often, especially if they are in a more sunny location. Good Luck!!!
Reply:let it be...Hydrangeas only flower on on the tips of new growth.

http://www.thegardenhelper.com/Hydrangea...
Reply:Yes, let it be. The plants need a chance to get established...you just planted them! Expect more from them next year!
Reply:Since these Hydrangeas were planted for Mother's Day I will assume they are a florist style Hydrangea (thick, slightly glossy leaf, pink or blue round flower).



If that's the case, it is true they flower on old stems. However, the flowers do not form right at the previous year's blooms, it is a little below that point. The production and maintenance of flowers is a major energy expenditure for Hydrangea plants (especially young ones). By removing the flowers this year you will help the plant develop a better root system and more stem growth.



Removing the flowers is optional, but it will encourage more growth. You need to weigh the benefit (larger plant) against the cost (no flowers this year). So long as you clip off the flowers just below the flower head you will not be removing next year's buds.



Hope this helps!

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