Taking care of big leaf
HYDRANGEA macrophylla, also known as big leaf is common in our plant nurseries. It is a delicate plant that requires one to know its best thriving conditions.
HYDRANGEA macrophylla, also known as big leaf is common in our plant nurseries. It is a delicate plant that requires one to know its best thriving conditions.
Choose a location that gets the cool morning sun and avoid the hot afternoon sun.
Avoid planting the Hydrangea beneath trees as the tree roots will compete for nutrients and moisture.
The flower colour of this particular Hydrangea depends on its cultivar and aluminum availability.
Aluminum is necessary to produce the blue pigment for which big leaf hydrangea is noted. Aluminum is usually present in soils with low pH like acidic soils, with a pH 5.5 and lower.
Neutral to alkaline soils pH 6.5 and higher will usually produce pink flowers. Between pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, the flowers will be purple or a mixture of blue and pink flowers will be found on the same plant.
If you are not sure about the soil, incorporate some humus-rich material and some clay or lime.
Slugs and snails are the most common pests. They seem to be attracted to the lighter coloured leaves and the thinner leafed varieties
Powdery mildew and black spot may occur in shady locations when the hydrangea gets poor air circulation.
Keep overgrown plants good distances away from the plants and immediately discard any leaves with traces of mildew or fungus.
Rust spots occur with too much direct sunlight after overhead watering. Therefore, it is best to water in early morning or late afternoon to allow the leaves to dry before the hot afternoon sun.
Hydrangeas should not be harshly pruned; many hydrangeas bloom on old wood and if you cut too hard you will not get any blooms.
Happy gardening!
winnieruk@hotmail.com
The flower colour of this particular Hydrangea depends on its cultivar and aluminum availability.
Aluminum is necessary to produce the blue pigment for which big leaf hydrangea is noted. Aluminum is usually present in soils with low pH like acidic soils, with a pH 5.5 and lower.
Neutral to alkaline soils pH 6.5 and higher will usually produce pink flowers. Between pH 5.5 and pH 6.5, the flowers will be purple or a mixture of blue and pink flowers will be found on the same plant.
If you are not sure about the soil, incorporate some humus-rich material and some clay or lime.
Slugs and snails are the most common pests. They seem to be attracted to the lighter coloured leaves and the thinner leafed varieties
Powdery mildew and black spot may occur in shady locations when the hydrangea gets poor air circulation.
Keep overgrown plants good distances away from the plants and immediately discard any leaves with traces of mildew or fungus.
Rust spots occur with too much direct sunlight after overhead watering. Therefore, it is best to water in early morning or late afternoon to allow the leaves to dry before the hot afternoon sun.
Hydrangeas should not be harshly pruned; many hydrangeas bloom on old wood and if you cut too hard you will not get any blooms.
Happy gardening!
winnieruk@hotmail.com