Hydrangea problems

ohdeereme · June 2023

Hello,

I hope you are well 😊

I'm back with another problem - my hydrangea was looking beautiful up until a week ago; I've just removed loads of leaves that have been eaten to death and the petals aren't looking great either.

Any advice much appreciated 👍

I water it every evening, quite generously too. Clay-ish soil, especially as you dig down a bit.

Also, does it need a support?

Many thanks for your time
Sarah

Lyn · June 2023

As it’s out in full flower I think you may have recently bought it. They bring them on fast to bloom so it’s more attractive to buyers. The blooms are large for stems, it will be better next year.
If you’ve got some compost you can dig that in around the roots and keep it watered it will be fine.
We gardened on London clay, the hydrangeas were lovely, all be it pink, But they did thrive.

Fairygirl · June 2023

It's one of those forced ones because they wouldn't normally be in flower at this time of year. It'll sort itself out next year and flower at the right time, as long as you do the correct pruning, although it's unlikely to need much as it's small.
I wouldn't keep watering it every night if you have clay soil and it's not dry. Do it every few days, and use a big canful, unless you get good rainfall. Keep mulching the soil though, as it doesn't look great, and as you have clay. Any extra organic matter will help enormously as it improves the soil and helps retain moisture in drier spells.

The reason it's floppy is because of the forcing - the heads are too big and heavy for the stems and root system, but they'll be woodier and sturdier in future years

Lyn · June 2023

@Fairygirl. Snap😀😀😀

Fairygirl · June 2023

Lyn said:

@Fairygirl. Snap😀😀😀

You're quicker at typing than me @Lyn

Lyn · June 2023

That’s because I’ve got an iPad and the keys are closer together, I can type like the wind😀

Fairygirl · June 2023

Hydrangea problems

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