Doused hydrangea - this is how you save the plant

Doused hydrangea - this is how you save the plant

Check the condition of the hydrangea

If you fear that too much water is to blame for the stunted growth of the hydrangea, you should first take a close look at the plant:

  • Check the moisture of the substrate with your finger. If it is soaking wet and the earth smells musty, you probably meant too well by watering.
  • If the hydrangea was mainly poured from below, the surface of the earth usually only feels damp. However, water remains permanently in the saucer or planter. This also damages the hydrangea in the long term.
  • If the plant is obviously too wet, carefully pot the plant carefully to check the condition of the roots.

also read

  • Help - my hydrangea is dying, how can I save it?
  • How can I save my dried up hydrangea?
  • The hydrangea is drooping its flowers - what is the cause?

Rescue is near

Remove the wet soil as best you can and expose the roots. You can recognize healthy roots by the fact that they look crisp and are white at the tips or at best light brown in color. If, on the other hand, many of the fine lifelines are mushy, reddish brown discolored and smell unpleasant, they are rotten due to waterlogging.

Carefully separate the damaged roots and place the hydrangea in fresh substrate. Water sparingly over the next few days and only when the top inches of the soil feel dry.

Avoid overwatering potted plants

  • Make sure that the flower pot has holes in the bottom so that excess water can drain off.
  • Cover these openings with potsherds or pebbles to prevent substrate from clogging them.
  • Pour away the remaining water in the planter or saucer after a quarter of an hour.
  • Water only when the soil feels dry.

Waterlogging in the garden

If outdoor hydrangeas suffer from waterlogging, the only thing that can help is re-planting the perennials. Carefully dig up the hydrangea to minimize damage to the root ball. Enlarge the planting hole a little and first of all fill a drainage layer of gravel and coarse-grained sand into the planting pit in the lower area. Put the hydrangea in fresh rhododendron soil.

Tips & Tricks

To prevent root rot and overwatering, you can immerse the hydrangea whenever the substrate feels dry in the upper area. Let excess water drain well after bathing.