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Planting hydrangea in pots

LeeendeanLeeendean Posts: 122
in Problem solving
Hi guys I’m going to purchase some hydrangeas today and put them in some pots big enough so they won’t have to be moved again. I’ve been reading up on this some say I have to feed them more often as there in pots and not the ground. Is this true!! As I thought the more you feed them the weaker the stems will be as I don’t feed my ones in the soil. And is there any type or potting compost that will be ok to use will general purpose do or better of getting Jon innes number 3 say?? Thanks for any tips you guys can give 
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  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    Definitely use John innes 3 maybe mixed with MPC. I have hydrangeas doing well in pots and I just feed as I do all my plants. I give them chicken pellets in spring then through the summer it’s an occasional dose of tomato feed. Probably completely wrong but they are healthy plants with plenty of flowers. Good luck 
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    Ideally for any shrub in a tub, use a soil based medium—John Innes should work. You’ll need pretty big containers if they are to be permanently installed there. And yes, you need to feed well. Getting over-heavy flower heads tends to be more a function of excessively hard pruning. 
  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184

  • debs64debs64 Posts: 5,184
    My white hydrangea last year 
  • LeeendeanLeeendean Posts: 122
    Ok thanks guys so Don’t add no bone meal as I would with putting them in the ground. Just let them establish this year and feed next spring or feed them frequently as there establishing say every 2 weeks or like debs said just ad some chicken pellets 
  • Cambridgerose12Cambridgerose12 Posts: 1,134
    I'd add bonemeal at planting time, and also water retaining gel and fertiliser.
  • LeeendeanLeeendean Posts: 122
    Cambridgerose12 said:
    I'd add bonemeal at planting time, and also water retaining gel and fertiliser.
    Ok sorry to sound stupid. So say I can mix the chicken pellets with the John innes as I plant as a lot of these fertiliser now contain feed with them already 
  • KiliKili Posts: 1,104
    edited March 2021
    Just stick it in with John innes mixed with a bit of MPC and there's nothing else to do. Give it a feed after about 3 months. The MPC will have some feed in it anyway.

    Feed it to early and you'll end up with a lot of leaf growth in my experience.  I would wait for flower buds to form then feed it.

    'The power of accurate observation .... is commonly called cynicism by those that have not got it.

    George Bernard Shaw'

  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    IMO, water retaining gel is one of the great gardening myths [ feel free to discuss ] Remember Hydrangeas need to be kept moist, they will need lots of watering during the summer.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I found the water retaining gel little better than useless. 

    Don’t forget if you’re growing blue hydrangea hortensias you’ll need to use ericaceous compost in order for them to retain their blue colour.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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