Hydrangeas, thanks to their spherical, elegant inflorescences, are a wonderful decoration of garden beds. But these shrubs can be successfully grown in pots on balconies, terraces or in patio gardens. What kind of care doespotted hydrangeaneed to bloom the same as the one growing in the bed? Here's everything you need to know about growing hydrangeas in a pot!
Hydrangea in a pot
What hydrangeas can I grow in a pot?
For cultivation in a pot, every garden hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) is suitable, although undoubtedly it is best to choose varieties with limited growth, such as the cultivar 'Sybilla', sometimes also sold under the name 'Masja' for pot cultivation. '.
This small variety of hydrangea grows not higher than 1 m in height. It has nice, fleshy, shiny leaves, and from June to August it is decorated with large, spherical inflorescences (15-30 cm in diameter) ranging in color from dark pink to purple. We usually buy such hydrangeas in garden stores.
"In flower shops, often in addition to the typical flowering time of hydrangeas, greenhouse hydrangeas are also sold, sometimes even for flowering in the winter months (a large offer appears before Easter).However, you should be aware that in the case of greenhouse hydrangeas, growers they focus on obtaining plants of limited growth, nice habit and beautiful flowering, but not necessarily frost-resistant and doing well in our climate. Growing such varieties all year round in an apartment can be troublesome, and if the plants are to find their place on balconies and terraces, it is better to choose ordinary garden hydrangeas for growing in a pot."
Hydrangeas in pots decorate the entrance to the house
In what pot can hydrangea be planted?
Large green hydrangea leaves and their colorful inflorescences fit almost all types of containers and pots, both stone, ceramic, wooden and galvanized sheet metal. They look interesting in a pot made of an old barrel, an aluminum bucket or in a wicker basket. The shape and material from which the pot will be made is primarily a matter of our taste.
For practical reasons, eachhydrangea potshould have holes in the bottom, through which excess water will flow out after watering, and be sufficiently large. The minimum pot capacity for young hydrangea seedlings is 10 liters, while older, large plants may require a pot with a capacity of up to 100 liters. As the hydrangeas grow, they are transplanted into larger and larger pots.This treatment is performed in the spring.
Hydrangea in a pot
Rules for growing a hydrangea in a pot
Pot-grown hydrangeahas similar soil requirements as for plants grown in garden beds. The ideal position should be semi-shaded (in the shade, hydrangeas grow better and it is easier to provide them with the right amount of moisture in the soil, but they bloom more profusely in the sun, so you need to measure it somehow). The soil should be fertile, humus, slightly moist and acidic. A mixture of compost soil and peat will work perfectly in the pot. You can also fill it with ready-made soil for azaleas and rhododendrons or soil for acidophilic plants.
Hydrangeas in concrete pots
Hydrangeas should be watered regularly during their growth and flowering period as they do not tolerate overdrying. We should remember this especially on sunny days.Once a week, the plants are watered with a solution of liquid fertilizer, or once a month, we use granulated hydrangea fertilizer. Remember, however, that potted hydrangeas are very sensitive to over-fertilization, so the doses of fertilizers should be lower than for hydrangeas grown in the ground. If the fertilizer manufacturer does not specify the dosage for pot hydrangeas, use only 1/3 of the dosage stated on the fertilizer packaging.
If we boughtpotted hydrangeain winter or early spring, the plant must stay in the apartment until the risk of frost is over. Let's choose a bright place for it, but not too much sun. If it is to stand on a window sill, it must be a window facing east, northeast or northwest. In no case can it be the southern exhibition, because then the hydrangea will be too warm and the leaves will start to wither quickly. The ideal temperature for a hydrangea in an apartment is 20 ° C, at night it is worth lowering the temperature by 2 - 4 ° C.
" Usually, the plant will have time to flower by the time it can migrate outside.In this case, the blown inflorescences should be cut together with the first pair of leaves located just below the first pair of leaves under the inflorescence. The hydrangea pruning sites should fall out about half a centimeter above the next pair of leaves on the plant. You can put a hydrangea in a pot outside in the 3rd decade of May, after the so-called Cold Gardeners. "
Hydrangea in a ceramic pot
Wintering a hydrangea in a pot
For the winter periodpotted hydrangearequires appropriate protection. Plants form flower buds in the summer and from them will develop flowers next year. If they freeze in winter, there will be no flowers the next year.If we are not sure whether the variety of hydrangea we have is frost-resistant, then in autumn, before the first frosts come, the plant should be slightly dried, its leaves removed and moved to a frost-free room, e.g.shed, garage or basement. The room does not need to be bright, as the hydrangea does not need sunlight during this period. Plants can also be preventively sprayed with a fungicide during the winter rest, which will prevent them from being attacked by gray mold. We should also remember that during winter storage, care should be taken that the soil in the pot does not dry out completely. From time to time, the plant is watered to maintain a minimum of moisture.
If we decide to leave the plant on the balcony or terrace, the pot should be insulated with polystyrene foam, and the whole bush should be wrapped with thick, white winter agrotextile, preferably with several layers. On warm days, the cover can be uncovered to check the condition of the plant and possibly watered. We gradually discover the plant in spring, bearing in mind, however, that the cover must be replaced at nights when frosts are expected. We can decide to winter hydrangeas in a pot outside only when it is frost-resistant enough and we can provide it with a relatively warm and sheltered place, preferably at the very wall of the building.
Hydrangea in a pot - transplanting
Readers often ask ushow to transplant hydrangeas in potsAs hydrangeas grow in pots, it is worth transplanting them into larger and larger pots. You will have to do this every year for young plants. Older bushes are transplanted less often. The signal to replant the hydrangea in the pot is the overgrowing of the roots through the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
If the hydrangea in the pot is overwintering in the garden, replant it in the spring.Hydrangeas hibernating in cool rooms and greenhouses can be transplanted in February
Hydrangeas should be transplanted into potsonly slightly larger than those in which they grew so far. Remember that there should be drainage holes at the bottom of the new pot, and small pebbles or expanded clay should be poured on the bottom of the pot as drainage.When transplanting potted hydrangeareplace all soil with a new substrate. It is best if it is fertile and humus acidic soil.Soil for rhododendrons and special substrates for hydrangeas are perfect. We can also mix ordinary garden soil with acid peat.
