|
Most varieties of hydrangeas – endless summer hydrangea, quick fire hydrangea, nikko blue hydrangea, vanilla strawberry hydrangea, oak leaf hydrangea, etc. -- thrive well if they are planted in the right condition and quantity of soil material to nourish their roots. Hydrangeas are naturally large shrubs; the potted ones normally outgrow their containers fast. It is also recommended that potted hydrangeas must not be fertilized, otherwise they will teem uncontrollably. Thus, whenever you decide to plant hydrangeas in pots and containers, you must choose the dwarf varieties to avoid having to repot each time.
Transplanting involves digging up the hydrangea shrub from one location and planting it in another, possibly another area in the garden or into another pot.
Flower experts recommend that the best time to transplant hydrangea shrubs is when they are in their dormant period, meaning most of their leaves have fallen.
When digging the shrub to transplant, unearth as much of the rootball as you can. If you can dig up the whole rootball intact, then that will be so much better for the transplanted hydrangea. Since the roots are quite fibrous and they form a ball filled with soil, the transplanted hydrangea may grow very heavy for you to lift alone, so you might need to get some help with the transplanting. Transplant the hydrangea in a region in your backyard that is shaded during the afternoon. Doing this will not only help the hydrangea to survive, it is also the most suitable location for growing hydrangeas, especially if you live in the South.
If you transplant when your hydrangeas are still in dormancy, then water them deeply only once after transplanting is done. The plants will need no more watering until spring sets in and warmer weather arrives. After that, hydrangeas must remain watered generously during the first and the second summer after they are transplanted.
To water your hydrangeas deeply, use a hose instead of a sprinkler system. Take note, too, not to overwater. Daily watering can be just as harmful to hydrangeas as letting them dry out with lack of water. If the hydrangea leaves are wilting even if the soil is already moist enough, then there is no need to water anymore. Just mist the leaves daily until they recover. If the soil does not drain properly, then do not allow it to stay soggy most especially if you are dealing with oakleaf hydrangeas; they will rot if transplanted in wet soil.
|
