Caring for hydrangeas in the tub

Caring for hydrangeas in the tub

The right location

Hydrangeas are not sun worshipers and prefer partially shaded or shady locations. The Hydrangea feels extremely comfortable on a north, east or west balcony or in the entrance area. In the room, you should place the hydrangea in a shady place by a bright window.

also read

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  • Propagate hydrangeas by dividing them

The perfect substrate

The hydrangea needs a loose, permeable and slightly acidic substrate that can store a lot of water. Special hydrangea or rhododendron soil is ideal.

Water and fertilize regularly

If you keep a hydrangea in the bucket, you will quickly find that the plant is downright thirsty. Water the hydrangea whenever the top inches of the substrate feel dry. On hot summer days it may be necessary to water the hydrangea twice a day. Since the hydrangea is very sensitive to waterlogging, you should pour away excess water in the saucer, even on very warm days.

Since the soil in the pot can only store a limited amount of nutrients, you will need to fertilize the hydrangea every 14 days during the growing season. Use special hydrangea, azalea, or rhododendron fertilizers.

Repot

Pot hydrangea in fresh substrate about every two years. The planter should be a little larger than the one previously used so that the sensitive roots have enough space.

Multiply

You can easily propagate hydrangeas in the tub by cuttings. To do this, cut off a shoot with two pairs of leaves and shorten the leaves in half. When placed in potting soil, the seedling quickly drives new roots.

Pests and diseases

With good care, hydrangeas are not very susceptible to plant diseases and pests. Occasionally the hydrangea is attacked by spider mites or aphids. These pests can be combated well with insecticides from specialist gardeners. The chlorosis (iron deficiency) that occasionally occurs in red and pink hydrangeas can be prevented by using an appropriate fertilizer with an iron content.

Overwinter

If you are maintaining a hydrangea in a pot, you should overwinter the plant indoors for the first few years. A cool cellar room or the stairwell are well suited. The room temperature should not exceed ten degrees. Remember to ventilate daily to prevent rot.