- Watering hydrangeas correctly: how to proceed?
- When is the best time to water hydrangeas?
- How often should you water hydrangeas?
- Hydrangeas droop their leaves:Was watered too much?
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Hydrangeas only thrive and produce beautiful flowers with the right amount of water. We show what you have to consider when watering hydrangeas.
For the hydrangea (Hydrangea) the name says it all. The deciduous shrub loves a good water supply. The botanical name Hydrangea is derived from the Greek and means something like "water jar".
Watering hydrangeas correctly: how to proceed?
Hydrangeas love moist soil, but they tolerate waterlogging just as little as drought. Therefore, in addition to regular watering, a sufficiently permeable soil is important. When watering your hydrangeas, make sure to spread the water at the base of the plant rather than watering from the top. This keeps the flowers and leaves dry and reduces the risk of powdery mildew.
Since hydrangeas prefer a low pH in the soil, it is important not to use hard water for watering, as this will raise the pH in the long term. It is best to use rainwater - this is not only good for the plants, but also for the environment and your wallet.
Tip: On particularly hot days it can happen that the hydrangeas bring their leaves into a drooping position, which is reminiscent of wilting . This is nothing to worry about, it is a natural protective mechanism of plants to reduce evaporation.
When is the best time to water hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas always want to be supplied with enough water. That means as soon as the substrate feels dry, it's time to water again. Especially with pot hydrangeas, it is worth checking the moisture with your fingers once again, as the substrate in the pot dries out much faster. The morning and/or evening is a suitable time of day for watering. Unlike in the middle of the day, the sun's rays and the temperature are usually lower, so that the water supplied cannot evaporate again as quickly.
Tip: Do not use for pot hydrangeasopen-pored clay pots, as these give off a lot of moisture to the environment. Glazed clay pots or plastic tubs retain moisture longer and are therefore better.
Watering hydrangeas in winter
Even during the winter it is important to check the soil around the plant from time to time, because even in the cold season it should never be bone dry. Ground frosts that occur in the winter months are not in themselves a threat to hydrangeas, as they are hardy. Unless the soil is very dry, it is better not to water the hydrangeas in winter. Otherwise, in mild winters, the buds and leaf shoots may swell prematurely. When it gets cold again, these delicate leaves freeze to death. However, potted plants that are in a frost-free winter quarter should get a small sip of water occasionally.
How often should you water hydrangeas?
How often you should water your hydrangea depends on various factors, such as location, rainfall, time of year, substrate, plant size and hydrangea species. Whether the plant is outdoors or in a bucket also makes a difference. The watering itself is ideally done in small doses, rather than pouring it all down on the plant. On hot summer days, it is advisable to water the hydrangea every day. If it is in a bucket, it may even be necessary to water it twice a day. Towards autumn, the watering quantity is slowly reduced. But even then, the substrate around the hydrangea should not dry out completely.
In general, there are no fixed instructions for watering hydrangeas. Instead, the various factors and observations form an empirical value that you can use to find out the perfect watering routine for your hydrangeas. In addition, you can mulch your hydrangea, after all, hydrangeas love a layer of mulch on the bottom, which reduces the evaporation of water from the soil.
Tip: Potted hydrangeas that are in a sun-exposed place should be watered several times (2 to max. 3 times a day) on sunny summer days, as the water in the pot will be too low the smaller volume of soil and the mostly loose structure of the potting soil evaporates faster than in a flower bed.
Hydrangeas droop their leaves:Was watered too much?
It's hard to believe, but even the thirsty hydrangeas can be watered too much. Drooping, yellowing leaves can indicate root rot caused by waterlogging. To avoid waterlogging in the bucket, the pot should have holes in the bottom so that excess water can simply drain off. It is also better to give the hydrangeas smaller amounts of water several times a day rather than too much at once.
As soon as you notice the first signs of root rot on a hydrangea, you must react quickly before the roots die off completely. Dig up the hydrangea and remove the rotten root parts. It should then be planted back in fresh soil and watered sparingly at first.
Tip: Would you like to know more about caring for your hydrangeas? Then you will find all further information in our special article.