Hydrangea macrophylla

The genus Hydrangea, or Hydrangea, combines beautifully flowering deciduous shrubs, less often trees or lianas. Most types of hydrangeas are intended for growing in the garden in the open ground, and more sensitive to cold species are cultivated in greenhouses or at home as potted plants. They usually bloom in spring from March to May and for this reason symbolize the Easter festivities. Like other hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla has large, dense, spherical inflorescences with a diameter of up to 20 cm. The leaves are large and numerous. When grown outdoors, the plant can reach 4 m in height. On acidic soil, the flowers are blue, on alkaline-pink in various shades, even white. There are more than 500 varieties of hydrangeas that can be grown as a potted crop. According to the flowering period from July to September, hydrangeas are divided into early, semi-early and late. Most often, the flowers of hybrids and varieties have white, numerous shades of pink, red or blue-blue color. Almost all classic and common varieties come from France. For example, 'Miracle', whose flowers come in various colors (pink, red, white; early and semi-early); 'Sister Teresa '(white; late); Europa and Benelux (pink; semi-early); 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Alpengluchen' (red; semi-early).

The genus Hydrangea, or Hydrangea, combines beautifully flowering deciduous shrubs, less often trees or lianas. Most types of hydrangeas are intended for growing in the garden in the open ground, and more sensitive to cold species are cultivated in greenhouses or at home as potted plants. They usually bloom in spring from March to May and for this reason symbolize the Easter festivities.

Like other hydrangeas, Hydrangea macrophylla has large, dense, spherical inflorescences with a diameter of up to 20 cm. The leaves are large and numerous. When grown outdoors, the plant can reach 4 m in height. On acidic soil, the flowers are blue, on alkaline-pink in various shades, even white. There are more than 500 varieties of hydrangeas that can be grown as a potted crop. According to the flowering period from July to September, hydrangeas are divided into early, semi-early and late.

Most often, the flowers of hybrids and varieties have white, numerous shades of pink, red or blue-blue color. Almost all classic and common varieties come from France. For example, 'Miracle', whose flowers come in various colors (pink, red, white; early and semi-early); 'Sister Teresa '(white; late); Europa and Benelux (pink; semi-early); 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Alpengluchen' (red; semi-early).

Cultivation

Hydrangea is grown as a beautiful flowering plant at home, as well as outdoors on balconies or terraces. For balconies and terraces, the plant is first kept indoors at the maximum light level for 2-3 weeks, and only then exposed to fresh air. However, after a 2-3-year stay of the plant in the pot, it is recommended to plant it in the garden, otherwise it dies. The plant prefers fertile, loose, fairly moist soil with an acidic reaction of the environment. The pH value (soil acidity) should be 5.0-6.0 for normal varieties and 4.5-5.0 for normal varieties. hybrids whose flowers can be given a bluish hue. During the growing season, mineral complex fertilizers are added to the water for irrigation once a month in the amount of 20 g per bucket (30 g of iron chelates are also added from time to time). The flowering period falls in the summer months, but if you want it to start earlier, in the spring, take up forcing in the winter. The plant is placed in a light greenhouse with a temperature of 6-8 °C, gradually increasing it to 18-20 °C, and kept in these conditions until flowering occurs. In the spring, the expelled hydrangia are pinched 1-2 times. Hydrangea - moisture-loving plant, tolerates shading well. When grown in the ground, it is abundantly watered, sprayed with water, and excess shoots are removed from pinched plants. In July, they are fed several times with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and mullein infusion or other organic fertilizers.

Hydrangea is grown as a beautiful flowering plant at home, as well as outdoors on balconies or terraces. For balconies and terraces, the plant is first kept indoors at the maximum light level for 2-3 weeks, and only then exposed to fresh air. However, after a 2-3-year stay of the plant in the pot, it is recommended to plant it in the garden, otherwise it dies. The plant prefers fertile, loose, fairly moist soil with an acidic reaction of the environment. The pH value (soil acidity) should be 5.0-6.0 for normal varieties and 4.5-5.0 for normal varieties. hybrids whose flowers can be given a bluish hue. During the growing season, mineral complex fertilizers are added to the water for irrigation once a month in the amount of 20 g per bucket (30 g of iron chelates are also added from time to time). The flowering period falls in the summer months, but if you want it to start earlier, in the spring, take up forcing in the winter. The plant is placed in a light greenhouse with a temperature of 6-8 °C, gradually increasing it to 18-20 °C, and kept in these conditions until flowering occurs. In the spring, the expelled hydrangia are pinched 1-2 times. Hydrangea - moisture-loving plant, tolerates shading well. When grown in the ground, it is abundantly watered, sprayed with water, and excess shoots are removed from pinched plants.

In July, they are fed several times with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers and mullein infusion or other organic fertilizers.

Location

At home, hydrangeas should be kept in the most illuminated place or near the window, but always away from heat sources. If it is grown in the air, it is better to place it in partial shade, although the plant blooms more profusely in the sun with sufficient moisture.

Temperature

The optimal temperature for growth and development is 15-20 °C. Some species and varieties are quite cold-resistant, they can be grown in the open ground with easy shelter.

Care

Discolored inflorescences, as well as damaged parts of the plant are removed. In autumn or spring, cut off last year's branches, leaving 1-3 pairs of buds.

Reproduction

Hydrangea is propagated by dividing bushes, layering, offspring, cuttings, in breeding-by seeds. For cuttings, take side shoots or ground shoots from pasture plants. The lower leaves are removed from the cut cuttings and planted in a box with a peat and sand substrate (2:1). After rooting, they are transplanted into pots with a mixture of peat and turf earth with the addition of sand and organic or mineral fertilizer. Later they are transferred to large containers and planted (dug in) in open ridges.

Diseases

Infection with fungi (Pythium and Rhizoctonia) can be prevented by sterilizing the soil beforehand. If the plant is affected, it remains only to throw it away. Leaves and shoots can be damaged by gray rot of vegetables (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew of grapes (oidium). In this case, appropriate antifungal medications are used. Hydrangea is affected by pests (both the root and aboveground parts of the plant): aphids, thrips, mites, and nematodes. They get rid of them with the help of appropriate chemicals. When distilling, if the initial temperature of the plant content is above 12-15 °C, the buds fall off. With chlorosis, the new aboveground organs of the plant and the leaves located at the ends of the shoots turn yellow. They get rid of it by setting the correct pH level and adding iron chelates to the soil.

Infection with fungi (Pythium and Rhizoctonia) can be prevented by sterilizing the soil beforehand. If the plant is affected, it remains only to throw it away. Leaves and shoots can be damaged by gray rot of vegetables (Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew of grapes (oidium). In this case, appropriate antifungal medications are used. Hydrangea is affected by pests (both the root and aboveground parts of the plant): aphids, thrips, mites, and nematodes. They get rid of them with the help of appropriate chemicals.

When distilling, if the initial temperature of the plant content is above 12-15 °C, the buds fall off. With chlorosis, the new aboveground organs of the plant and the leaves located at the ends of the shoots turn yellow. They get rid of it by setting the correct pH level and adding iron chelates to the soil.

Acquisition

Potted hydrangeas can be purchased starting in March at flower shops, flower and horticultural centers. Choose compact plants that have just entered the flowering phase.