Hydrangea

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea) are better known as "hydrangeas" and are among the most common ornamental plants. They originated from the Far East and North America; in the conditions of natural growth, about 80 species of beautifully flowering deciduous shrubs and even trees and lianas can be found. In Italy, the most common garden hydrangea, or paniculate hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculate): this shrub tolerates temperatures of -15 °C: even if the aboveground part of the plant is destroyed by frost, it will grow back as soon as it warms up. Flowers are collected in corymbose or paniculate inflorescences and can be white, pink, red, blue and blue. Large leaves with a serrated edge have an oval shape. Among the climbing species, the most common are considered to be hydrangea integerrima, an evergreen plant that rises to a height of 6 meters, and hydrangea petiolaris (H. petiolaris, or H. scandens), this climbing species grows up to 20 m in a shaded area.

Hydrangeas (Hydrangea) are better known as "hydrangeas" and are among the most common ornamental plants. They originated from the Far East and North America; in the conditions of natural growth, about 80 species of beautifully flowering deciduous shrubs and even trees and lianas can be found.

In Italy, the most common garden hydrangea, or paniculate hydrangea (Hydrangea paniculate): this shrub tolerates temperatures of -15 °C: even if the aboveground part of the plant is destroyed by frost, it will grow back as soon as it warms up. Flowers are collected in corymbose or paniculate inflorescences and can be white, pink, red, blue and blue. Large leaves with a serrated edge have an oval shape.

Among the climbing species, the most common are considered to be hydrangea integerrima, an evergreen plant that rises to a height of 6 meters, and hydrangea petiolaris (H. petiolaris, or H. scandens), this climbing species grows up to 20 m in a shaded area.

Cultivation

Types and varieties of hydrangeas are easy to grow due to the fact that they are unpretentious plants that can tolerate even harsh climates. Sometimes they are also used as indoor plants, such as potted hydrangea (H. gortensis). However, it is difficult to keep them in such conditions for more than a year: at the end of flowering, they should be taken out into the open air, or even planted in the garden. But in any case, it is better to use slightly acidic soil (pH 5-6), rich in organic matter, and depending on the natural color of the plant's flowers, you can change this color to the desired one using the soil acidity level you set. If the varieties growing in neutral or alkaline soil have pink flowers, then their color will change. you can give a blue tint by lowering the acidity of the soil by adding sour white peat, sulfur or amonium or iron sulfates in the amount of 3-4 kg per 1 m 3 soil, or these salts are added to irrigation water in the amount of 30-40 g per bucket. In alkaline soil, the flowers take on an intense pink color.

Types and varieties of hydrangeas are easy to grow due to the fact that they are unpretentious plants that can tolerate even harsh climates.

Sometimes they are also used as indoor plants, such as potted hydrangea (H. gortensis). However, it is difficult to keep them in such conditions for more than a year: at the end of flowering, they should be taken out into the open air, or even planted in the garden. But in any case, it is better to use slightly acidic soil (pH 5-6), rich in organic matter, and depending on the natural color of the plant's flowers, you can change this color to the desired one using the soil acidity level you set. If the varieties growing in neutral or alkaline soil have pink flowers, then their color will change. you can give a blue tint by lowering the acidity of the soil by adding sour white peat, sulfur or amonium or iron sulfates in the amount of 3-4 kg per 1 m 3 soil, or these salts are added to irrigation water in the amount of 30-40 g per bucket. In alkaline soil, the flowers take on an intense pink color.

Location

Hydrangeas prefer a semi-shaded location, transferring, however, and strong illumination, but not direct sunlight, which can burn large leaves and flowers.

Temperature

Hydrangeas tolerate very low temperatures, only during too severe frosts the least lignified shoots and branches are damaged. But after excessive heat, flowering can abruptly stop.

Hydrangeas tolerate very low temperatures, only during too severe frosts the least lignified shoots and branches are damaged.

But after excessive heat, flowering can abruptly stop.

Watering

The soil should always be kept in a fairly moist state and provided with good drainage. In summer, this plant should be watered often enough, but not excessively, during the flowering period, adding liquid fertilizer to the water for irrigation.

Care

It is very important to carefully prune hydrangeas in the garden, removing dead branches and withered inflorescences. The most frail branches should also be pruned (pinched) to give those remaining more light, which will help them gain strength. Branches are cut off completely, at the base; the operation encourages the development of new shoots.

Reproduction

At the end of flowering in August-September, cut apical cuttings from non-flowering branches 10-15 cm long. They are planted in the soil-a mixture of sand (or perlite) and peat in equal parts. Pre-cuttings are treated with growth stimulants. After the roots are formed, they are first planted in 8-cm cups, and then transplanted into larger pots or planted in the garden. You can also use lignified cuttings, apical and from the middle of the shoot, immediately planting them in the open ground in a sufficiently protected place. The soil must be kept moist. From early cuttings grow specimens that are necessarily pinched, and therefore they form many flowers. In plants from late cuttings, on the contrary, there is only one flower. When transplanting into a new container, use heather land and fresh foliage with the addition of pine needles or peat.

At the end of flowering in August-September, cut apical cuttings from non-flowering branches 10-15 cm long. They are planted in the soil-a mixture of sand (or perlite) and peat in equal parts. Pre-cuttings are treated with growth stimulants. After the roots are formed, they are first planted in 8-cm cups, and then transplanted into larger pots or planted in the garden. You can also use lignified cuttings, apical and from the middle of the shoot, immediately planting them in the open ground in a sufficiently protected place.

The soil must be kept moist. From early cuttings grow specimens that are necessarily pinched, and therefore they form many flowers.

In plants from late cuttings, on the contrary, there is only one flower. When transplanting into a new container, use heather land and fresh foliage with the addition of pine needles or peat.

Diseases

The roots and basal part of the stem are often affected by fungi of two genera Pythium and Rhizoctonia. Their appearance can be prevented by first disinfecting the soil with fungicides or steaming it. The affected plants can only be discarded. Hydrangeas are also affected by gray rot (the causative agent is Botrytis cinerea) and powdery mildew of grapes, causing damage to the leaves. These diseases are also treated with antifungal medications. But the most common pests - aphids, thrips, nematodes and mites-destroy the roots, the aboveground part of the plant. In such cases, processing is performed special insecticides.

Acquisition

It is best to buy hydrangea seedlings in the spring, when the buds are still closed.