The real reason why your hydrangeas look brown and crispy – plus the mistakes you must avoid for them to bloom this May
HYDRANGEAS are beautiful when they bloom, but are yours looking rather brown and crispy?
Well, if yours could do with some TLC and you aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place as we’ve got all the handy tips and tricks you’ll need.
Hydrangeas are known for their big, beautiful cluster flower heads, but it appears that many gardeners often do not know how to care for them properly, which can prevent them from flowering.
With May in full swing, hydrangeas are just beginning to grow again, and gardeners often fertilise or prune them now to help encourage bigger blooms in the future.
However, a gardening pro has revealed the big mistake people must avoid if they want their hydrangeas to bloom this month.
Not only this, but Heather Stoven from Oregon State University, also shared the real reason why hydrangeas can sometimes look a bit worse for wear.
Heather revealed the two gardening jobs that must be avoided, as she recommended: “Avoid pruning; the resulting lush new growth will be sensitive to further damage from heat waves later in the summer.
“Also avoid fertilising as excess fertiliser can attract pests to the plant.”
It may seem obvious to fertilise plants to get more flowers, but according to Heather, now that we’re in May, it is far too early to feed hydrangeas.
Fertilising hydrangeas now will result in weak growth that is unlikely to survive in the heat.
Not only this, but it will also attract insects who look for softener foliage that is easier for them to eat.
Many hydrangeas have already formed their flower buds and pruning them now will risk cutting off the blooms, meaning you will not get any flowers at all.
Doing so will stress out the plant when it is actually growing, further causing damage.
However, according to the pro, hydrangeas are thirsty plants due to their big leaves which can quickly lose water.
As a result, the biggest mistake many gardeners make is not watering them enough in May.
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It is crucial to water hydrangeas properly to help establish strong roots so they can retain more water once summer arrives.
If hydrangeas do not get enough water while they are growing new roots, then the plant will not be strong enough to grow flowers and can even die if under too much stress.
Heather acknowledged: “If not enough water is available in the soil, or it is lost to the atmosphere faster than it can be replaced, then the plant tissue where the water can’t reach will die.
Water plants deeply prior to the heat event so that the root zone is well hydrated
Heather
“This is why we see so many brown, crispy leaf edges. It is also possible for high heat itself to cause tissue death.”
According to Heather, the best way to help hydrangeas at the moment is to water them deeply and keep the soil hydrated.
Having said that, you will need to make sure you are watering at the right time.
Top 5 Spring Gardening Jobs
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Nick Grey, Gtech Inventor and CEO shared the tasks to crack on with as Spring arrives.
1. Clean your garden
Make sure to clear away all leaves, soil and plant debris from your patios and flower beds; this creates a healthier environment for new growth, especially as we get into the summer months. Gtech’s Garden Safety Kit includes durable gardening gloves and safety glasses; perfect for comfortability whilst tackling those outdoor tasks.
2. Weeding
Early Spring is the best time to tackle weeds; if you can introduce some regular weeding into your routine, you can guarantee a tidy garden all year round.
3. Hedge maintenance
Spring is the ideal time to tidy up overgrown hedges and shrubs, as regular trimming ensures healthy growth and reduces pest issues. Using a tool like the Gtech Lightweight Hedge Trimmer can help to keep your greenery looking sharp and neat.
4. Composting
Starting a compost heap this spring is a pro-active, cost-effective way to harness nutritious soil for your plants and recycle organic waste that will benefit the overall health of your greenery and foliage.
5. Look after your lawn
Lawn care is hugely important in assuring your garden stays looking beautiful. Make sure to rake away any excess leaves and trim your grass routinely.
It is better to water hydrangeas in the morning as the hotter weather later on in the day will cause water evaporation, meaning a large proportion of moisture will not make it to the soil.
Watering hydrangeas in the morning allows them to absorb water more efficiently and ensures roots are hydrated throughout the day, which in turn will help them grow stronger and healthier.
Heather advised: “Water plants deeply prior to the heat event so that the root zone is well hydrated.”
If you choose the right time to water hydrangeas and do it consistently, this will ensure you help these beautiful plants grow to their full potential so you get lots of lovely big blooms once summer arrives.
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