Hortensia

Hortensia Care

Hydrangea macrophylla

What is the plant

Hortensia (Hydrangea macrophylla) is a species of flowering plant in the Hydrangeaceae family. This plant grows in South and East Asia and North and South America, with the highest species diversity in East Asia, especially in China and Japan. Nowadays, this graceful flowering beauty is cultivated all over the world!

Hydrangea is a perennial plant. It is a shrub or small tree up to 10 feet (3 m) high. Some species may also be vine-shaped. The leaves are usually dark green, large, ovate, or elliptical in shape. The edges of the leaf blades are serrated. Inflorescences can be corymbose or paniculate. The flowers, as a rule, have no aroma. Hydrangea also produces fruit with seeds.

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Humidity

High

Lighting

Full Sun

Temperature

8°C - 12°C

Difficulty

Medium

Hibernation

Cold Period

How to Care for the Plant

Water
During the growing season, especially during flowering, Hortensia needs regular and abundant watering. You also need to spray the plant leaves at least 3 times a week. Hydrangea likes consistent humidity!
Pruning
Perform formative pruning from the 2nd or 3rd year of the plant's life. You can do it in September-October or early spring. It is better not to trim young and old branches. You should shorten last year's stalks. Weak and dried stems also need to be removed.
Fertilizer
Feed Hortensia at least twice a month, except during the dormant period. It is better to use complex fertilizers for flowering plants.

Disease diagnosis

Check your plant’s health

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Sunlight
Hydrangea needs bright, diffused light with some direct sun in the morning or evening. The plant grows well next to east- and south-facing windows.
Soil
You can prepare the soil for Hydrangea yourself by mixing garden soil, black peat moss, leafy soil, rotted manure or compost, and coarse river sand (2:1:1:1:0.5.). If you want to buy a ready-made potting mix, earth designed for conifers, citrus plants or azaleas is a good option.
Propagation
Hydrangeas can be propagated in several ways: by cuttings (in spring or early summer), by dividing the bush (in spring and autumn), by young layering not older than one year, and by seeds.

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Temperature
In the summer, the best temperature for Hortensia is around 72-75°F (22-24°C). In winter, until February-March, keep the plant in a cool room at about 54°F (12°C) degrees, but not lower than 46°F (8°C).
Container
The most suitable time for planting Hortensia is spring. Since the plant's root system develops primarily in width, it's better to choose a wide pot. The new container should be 1.5 times the size of the old one. You should replace the old soil with fresh one annually to ensure flower growth.
Fun fact
You can adjust the color of your Hydrangea macrophylla by changing the acid-alkaline balance of the soil.