First Things Frist
Before we start considering the problems with hydrangeas in pots, let’s see important things for your plants to progress nicely. This implies a suitable pot and soil.
A Suitable Pot
My recommendation is to use a larger pot, because of the roots that grow quickly and fill the space. Such roots quickly use nutrients from the soil of the pot. Get a medium to large size container, at least 2 feet wide.
The pot should have holes in the bottom to allow the water to drain. Good drainage is required.
When watering, the water should flow nicely through the soil and out through the drainage holes.
Small pots dry out very quickly, which does not suit hydrangeas. This can cause poor drainage. Then the roots dry out very quickly. So better a larger pot to keep the soil moist.
The material from which the pot is made off is important. There are materials that retain water or that dry very quickly (cannot retain water). It is best to use a terracotta or fiberglass pot.
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Potting Soil
Hydrangeas require special soil. If the soil in the garden is of poor quality, it is better to put your plant in a pot.
Basically, you can’t just take the soil from the garden. Such soil can be very heavy and can retain water, that is, it does not drain well. That will eventually lead to root rot.
So the hydrangeas do not like wet soil, because it rots the roots. On the other hand, the soil should be constantly moist. The pot must have enough holes for adequate water drainage.
Also pay attention to the planting depth. A rule of thumb is to plant hydrangeas about two times the pot diameter in depth.
When placing the plant in the soil, leave it two inches from the top of the soil to the top of the pot. You do this to prevent overwatering. Gently press the soil around the plant to remove air pockets.
Problems With Hydrangeas in Pots: Problem Nr. – Inadequate Light
Hydrangeas outdoors prefer full sunlight, but strong wind bothers them. Find a sheltered spot outside for your plant.
If the lighting is not adequate, it can lead to a droopy plant. In the end, the plant can completely wither, if you do not take certain measures.
Problem Nr. – Water
Lack of water
Hydrangeas cannot survive for a long time without water. This plant is usually watered twice a week. Of course, it depends on the type of hydrangeas or the size of the pot. In any case, water the plant well, at least once a week.
If the leaves are droopy, it means that your hydrangea needs water. Lack of water can lead to wilting of the plant itself and its decay.
Too much water
Excess water in the soil can occur for several reasons:
- if you water the plant too often.
- if you use a larger amount of water when watering than you should.
- when the drainage is not adequate.
All this can lead to chlorosis or yellowing of the leaves. This condition can result in the destruction of the plant itself.
Before watering, check the soil condition to avoid overwatering. Insert your finger into the soil to see if it is dry or wet.
Reduce the frequency of watering or reduce the amount of water when watering.
Also, increase the number of drainage holes. It is best to put small pebbles at the bottom of the pot, it increases the drainage.
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Problem Nr. – Leaf Issues
Let’s see what problems can affect the leaves of your hydrangea.
Yellowed Leaves
The reasons for this can be rotting off the roots, improper watering, and inadequate drainage.
Check whether and how much you water your plant. Do not water more than necessary.
We have already talked about drainage. If the water is not drained well, it can lead to root rot.
Tip: Before watering the flowers, check with your finger that the soil is dry. Only then you can water your plant.
Droopy Leaves
Here is about improper watering of the plant. Watering twice a week is usual, but that also depends on many factors.
Also, hydrangeas need to constantly have moist soil, but never wet soil.
Edges of Leaves Turning Brown
The reason may be the excessive use of fertilizers so that the roots burn.
The fertilizer contains the salt aluminum sulfate. This salt is added to the soil to change the color of the flowers. But if there is too much of it, it can damage the roots. As a result, the edges of the leaves turn brown.
If this is the condition at the beginning, flash soil with water to wash away all that aluminum sulfate.
Holes in the plant
You can often see holes in the leaves of your hydrangea. The cause of this inconvenience is pests.
The flies lay eggs on the underside of the leaves. When the eggs hatch the larvae emerge and they then eat the leaves.
Check the plant from time to time, especially the underside of the leaf.
If you notice any damage, then apply a chemical agent. Instead, you can use a companion plan to invite useful pests that will feed on flies larvae, or eggs.
Problem Nr. – Yellowed or Brown Hydrangeas/ Wilting Hydrangeas
If your hydrangeas begin to turn yellow or have already taken on a brown color, the reasons may be high outside temperature, frost damage, root rot, or too much fertilizer.
If the flowers turn brown during the summer heat, then the plant is drying out. During the warm months, the plant should be watered regularly, the soil should be kept moist. It’s good to put a layer of mulch around the plant, and even to move the plant to a more pleasant place.
You noticed that your hydrangeas look wilted. The reasons for this may be lack of water, high outside temperature, or insufficient lighting.
Problem Nr. – Reduced Growth and Flowering
The reason for this problem can be poor soil fertility. The soil needs a lot of nutrients, from fertilizers or compost.
Fertilize the plant regularly, because the roots use nutrients from the soil very quickly.
Hydrangeas bloom once a year for many weeks. To what extent the plant will bloom depends a lot on the pH of the soil.
Alkaline soils (PH 7 and above) give lavender-colored flowers. Acidic soil (PH 6 and below) give yields blue flowers.
Problem Nr. – Pests and Diseases
Hydrangeas in pots are usually free of pests. However, let’s look at what can in some cases attack your plant.
Hydrangea Scale
This is an insect that sucks the sap from plants.
These brownish-whitish insects can be seen on the leaf of your hydrangea. They lead to a sickly appearance of the plant, loss of leaves, and less flowering.
Problem Nr. Fungal Diseases
Hydrangeas should not be placed next to other plants because fungal diseases can occur. Let’s take a closer look.
Botrytis blight
This disease is also known as gray mold. The disease attacks flowers, buds, and leaves. They begin to deform and take on a brown color. Brown dots and spots can first be seen on the flowers. Affected parts of the plant are most often covered with a gray mold.
Cercospora
It forms leaf spots. It appears as small round gray spots with reddish margins.
Rust
It is a fungal disease. Orange spots appear on the underside of the leaves. Then all the leaves can turn yellow and fall. That disease is caused by water splashing onto the leaves.
Check the underside of the leaves from time to time. Water the base of the plant, not the leaves, so that water does not fall on them. Cut the damaged leaves. If it is a bigger problem, use a fungicide.
But if you want to avoid using chemicals, there are some tricks. For example, cut old stems, then more air is created, etc.
Powdery mildew
This is a fungal leaf disease. Leaves slowly become gray with a powdery coating. It occurs when there are large temperature changes (hot days and cold nights).
Therefore, water the base of the plant, not the leaves. Cut the damaged leaves. If it’s a bigger problem, buy Neem oil. It is a naturally occurring pesticide, which is found in seeds from the neem tree.
Problem Nr. – The Ambient Temperature
Usually, the temperature in the house is 65 to 75 degrees. For hydrangeas, a slightly lower temperature of 50 to 60 degrees (Fahrenheit) is better.
High temperatures lead to rapid loss of moisture. Then the hydrangea leaves lose their freshness and become droopy. The petals of the flowers begin to fall.
When the nights are warm, above 80 degrees, bring the plant inside.
On the other hand, when it is very cold outside, better bring hydrangeas inside or cover them.
Note: As the end of the blooming season approaches, the flowers slowly dry out and begin to wither naturally.
Problem Nr. – Fertilization
The best time to fertilize your plants is late winter and early spring. I recommend using slow-release fertilizer for woody plants.
Too much fertilizer can burn the roots of your plant. The leaves may turn brown. This applies especially to fertilizers that contain a lot of nitrogen. The plant will droop, and eventually produce fewer flowers.
Therefore, adjust the frequency and amount of fertilizer according to the needs of your plant.
Problem Nr. – Frost damage
In locations where late spring frosts or early fall frosts occur, hydrangeas turn brown and may turn black over time. New shoots are usually affected. In that case, bring the plant inside.
Care during the winter
Hydrangeas that are outside should be protected. You can move them, for example, to the garage or to the balcony or patio, that is, to a place where there are no extreme frosts. Hydrangeas usually bloom around Christmas time. In early spring, new shoots (buds) will grow. They are prone (prune) to frost damage. They will become dark, blacken, and may not flower. Hydrangeas have large roots that are pruned (prone) to frost damage. In that case, cover (protect) the pots. Tips: You can water the pots before the frost. That helps.
Before the ground freezes, you can dig a hole in the ground in the garden and bury the pot with your hydrangea there, so it looks like it is buried in the ground. You may surround the pot with insulating materials, a ball of hay, or straw.
Problem Nr. – Related to Pruning
Actually, the hydrangea does not really need to be pruned. Be careful doing this. With these plants, the only method of pruning should be “deadheading”.
Do that at the right time. Otherwise, instead of improving, it can damage the plant.
When the hydrangea is pruned too much, then it is exposed and left unprotected from the cold and frost.
If they are smaller hydrangeas, do not prune them too much.