How to manage hydrangeas in winter?

Hydrangea has plump, large and beautiful flowers that can be red or blue. It is a common potted ornamental flower. Hydrangea has a certain degree of cold resistance, but the cold resistance of different varieties varies, so it is necessary to master the key points of winter management. So how do you manage hydrangeas in winter? Let’s take a look with the editor below.

1. Temperature management

Hydrangea is not cold-resistant, and the ambient temperature should be kept above minus 10 degrees Celsius in winter. If the temperature is below -5 degrees, hydrangeas planted outdoors need to be covered to keep warm to protect the buds from frostbite. In the cold northern regions, it is recommended to choose varieties that bloom on both new and old branches to ensure that at least the old branches of the previous year are frozen, and the buds that grow first in spring can also bloom.

2. Lighting management

Hydrangea is a light-loving plant. It needs to be placed in a place with sufficient light in winter to ensure that it receives a certain amount of light every day, which is conducive to its photosynthesis and accumulation of nutrients. If there is insufficient light indoors, you can use a plant fill light to supplement the light.

3. Water management

The temperature is low in winter, hydrangea grows slowly, and its demand for water decreases accordingly. Therefore, control the amount and frequency of watering to avoid excessive water that may cause root rot. Generally, wait until the soil in the pot is dry before watering. Do not water if it is not dry, and water thoroughly when you do. At the same time, when watering, avoid pouring water on the leaves to avoid frost damage. For hydrangeas planted in the ground, if it snows or rains, additional watering is generally not necessary.

4. Fertilization management

Hydrangeas grow slowly in winter and their need for fertilizer decreases, so you can stop fertilizing. However, if you want to keep it in a good growth state in winter or promote flowering next year, you can apply low-concentration fertilizer every 10 days or so, such as a decomposed fertilizer solution. Be careful not to use too high a fertilizer concentration, otherwise it will easily cause fertilizer damage. In addition, you can also apply a small amount of organic fertilizer at the bottom of the pot as base fertilizer when repotting.

5. Pruning management

In late autumn or before winter, prune hydrangeas moderately to remove dead flowers, dead branches, diseased branches and messy branches, shorten overly long branches, and thin out overly dense branches. Such pruning helps reduce nutrient consumption, helps the plant survive the winter, and lays the foundation for flowering next spring. At the same time, be careful to retain branches with buds, as these are the key to flowering next year.

6. Ventilation management

When caring for hydrangeas in winter, be sure to maintain good ventilation and avoid keeping them indoors for long periods of time, which can cause poor air circulation and lead to pests and diseases. You can open the windows regularly for ventilation, or move the plants to a well-ventilated place for maintenance.

The above is an introduction to how to manage hydrangeas in winter. For potted hydrangeas, when the temperature drops to minus 2-3 degrees Celsius, you can cover the hydrangeas with a film to protect the tender buds and allow them to survive the winter normally.