Forum home› Problem solving
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

Poorly Hydrangea

Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
in Problem solving
One of our hydrangeas is looking very sick. It's been in this spot for quite a few years and been fine up to now. It's neither too wet nor dry. I did give it a spray of fungicide when I noticed the very droopy leaves but it has just got worse.  Idea's anyone? 



AB Still learning

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I think that's suffering from being completely crowded by other plants/shrubs. 
    Whatever that is behind, and to the right of it, is probably sucking up lots of moisture and leaving it dehydrated. It clearly isn't happy in the site.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    It a viburnum opulus behind but as I said I have checked the soil  and its perfectly damp. I have given it extra water, and a little SM3 seaweed tonic about 2 weeks ago.  It's not happy though. 
    AB Still learning

  • luis_prluis_pr Posts: 123
    edited August 2021
    Hello, Allotment Boy. I concur with Fairygirl that there is definitely going to be some competition for water and nutrients as many hydrangeas can get to be 1-2 meters wide, depending on the variety. Picture the existing hydrangea stems extending 1/2 meter on all directions and you should notice that conditions are cramped.

    Hydrangeas have shallow, tiny, fibrous roots, usually about 10 cm deep. Viburnum opulus roots might grow about half a meter deep or so but, the majority of the feeder roots responsible for absorbing nutrients are in the top 1/3 meter or so. Spreading fertilizer on the soil surface is sufficient to reach these feeder roots. Water accordingly.

    On the other hand, do make sure the soil is just humid or damp but not soggy as soggy conditions can promote root rot on the hydrangea. To reduce the chances of over-watering the hydrangea, insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 10 cm and water only if the soil feels dry or almost dry. Keep the soil always mulched to minimize soil evaporation during the summer.
  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    Thanks but I am aware of all that. If it was too dry it would have responded to watering,  we have other Hydrangeas in the garden and I know how sensitive they are to water (the clue is in the name). Some of the leaves had gone black, I suspect some kind of fungal infection,   as we have had weeks of damp drizzly, humid weather  and was hoping someone might be able to confirm or dismiss.  Yes our garden is crammed full of plants but it always is. They are well fed, watered and mulched. 
    AB Still learning

  • LynLyn Posts: 23,190
    It looks like an Annabelle, I would dig it up,  cut of the dead heads,  put it somewhere open where it had is own nutrients, and never feed a sick plant.
    I do think the Annabelle is a bit weaker than the old bog standard ones so take good care of her.   If it picks up you can give it a feed if you must next Spring, personally I’ve never fed one but I know a lot of people feel the need to feed. 
    You may find vine weevil has chewed the roots, I often find them in potted cuttings. You wont know until you dig it up. 
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I would do as @lyn suggests. It has two options … to give it three I would also take some cuttings and stick them in a jar of water … they root so easily you’ll have plenty of replacements should they roots of the original be unviable. 
    😊 

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





  • Allotment BoyAllotment Boy Posts: 6,774
    It is  Annabelle , yes could be vine weevil as we do have them here, but it usually only affects things in pots not the ground.  I do use nematodes every year to keep them in check.  We don't really have anywhere open,  as our garden is packed full.  I do need to dig and divide some sibiricus Iris nearby so I might have to dig it out and check it at the same time .
    When I was talking about feeding I meant the  garden soil in general not specifically feeding that plant. 
    AB Still learning

Sign In or Register to comment.