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Can this Hydrangea be revived?

Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
in Problem solving
Hello everyone,

We recently bought a Hydrangea in a pot and it was doing well until recently. It has been kept inside in a room that got very hot during the recent hot spell. I'm wondering whether we over watered it? What do you think? When I came down one morning I found it sitting in water. 

Any help would be appreicated,

Many thanks,

Ed

Posts

  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    edited August 2020
    It's not a houseplant!   It's a garden plant that likes a temperate climate and dappled shade so keeping indoors in heat will have stressed it terribly.

    I suggest you snip off all the flower heads at their base so the plant can concentrate its energy on letting its roots and foliage recover.   It will want to grow very large so try and find a decent spot in your garden, dig it a good hole - wider than it is deep and preferable square.   Stand the pot in a big bucket of water till no further air bubbles appear then take out the plant, gently tease the roots to loosen them with your fingers and then re-plant at the same depth it was in the pot.   Water well and keep it watered until the autumn rains set in.  That may be as much as 5 litres a day or 10 every 2 or 3 days but never just a dribble.

    If you can get a bag of well-rotted manure from the GC or DIY shop, work that into the soil when planting as that will provide nutrients and aid moisture retention.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
    Thank you very much for your thorough response. I've just been out to do what you suggested and have now snipped all the flowers off at their base.

    Our problem at the moment is that our garden is still just a square patch of grass although we do have a patio area with a number of pots. Is it feasible to transfer it to a much bigger pot for the time being and leave it on the patio? If not then I guess I will have to dig an area in the garden, although I was trying to avoid that until we'd come up with a design.

    Many thanks for your help,

    Ed
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    Yes, it could go in a pot with some good loamy compost - John Innes no 3 - but make sure it's not in full sun and that it is well watered.  Remember too that even the best quality potting composts only have food for 80 to 90 days so if it has to stay there next year too it will need feeding.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
    ***Update - Just wanted to say that the I did what you said and the Hydrangea is looking healthy. I've renamed it Obelixx the Great.

    Thanks for your help.

    Ed
  • amancalledgeorgeamancalledgeorge Posts: 2,736
    Well done @Edward.francis great to hear.
    To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Good stuff @Edward.francis. They aren't happy long term in pots unless the pot is big enough and they get the right care and conditions.
    Glad you managed to revive it  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Edward.francisEdward.francis Posts: 123
    Well I've bought a pretty big pot for now until we address the garden. I'm half way through planning something as I don't want to make a change then have to revisit and wish I'd done something else. Planning and all that!
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Planning takes time - it'll be fine for a while in the bigger pot  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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