Hydrangea is a common garden flower. Its umbels are like snowballs, clustered in oval green leaves, which is really beautiful. The flowers are green at first, then turn white, with a delicate fragrance.
Hydrangea likes warm, humid and semi-shady environments. Afraid of drought and waterlogging, not cold. Prefers moist, well-drained light loam soil, but has strong adaptability. The leaves are opposite, ovate to ovate-elliptic, dark green on the surface, stellate pubescent on the back, and serrated on the leaf margin. It blooms in summer, and the flowers are in large spherical cymes on the top of the branches, with white neutral flowers on the edge. The flowering period is April-May, the flower diameter is 18-20 cm, and all are sterile flowers.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for hydrangeas.
1. Watering
Hydrangea leaves are larger and require more water. Water frequently in spring and summer to keep the soil moist. When the temperature is high in midsummer, water should be watered once in the morning and evening, and pay attention to proper shade. Water less in winter, just keep the soil moist. During the growing season, the watering should be sufficient, so that the basin soil is often kept moist, especially in summer, and sufficient water should be given.
2. Lighting
Hydrangea is a short-day plant. After leaving the house in spring, it should be placed in a semi-shade environment for maintenance. In midsummer, it should be moved to a well-ventilated and shady place to prevent sunburn on the leaves. After September, the light intensity gradually weakens. In order to promote the differentiation of flower buds, the flower pot should be moved to a place with more light.
3. Temperature
Hydrangea likes a warm environment, the optimum temperature for growth is 18-28°C, and the temperature in winter is not lower than 5°C. Flower bud differentiation takes 6 to 8 weeks under the condition of 5 to 7 °C. The temperature of 20 °C can promote flowering, and maintain 16 °C after seeing flowers, which can prolong the flowering period. Pay attention to high temperature to make the flowers fade quickly.
