Content
- The hydrangea does not bloom - what can be the cause?
- Young plants must first acclimatize
- Location and optimal neighbors
- An optimal nutrient supply ensures abundance of flowers
- Water regularly
- Wrong cut
- Frost damage in rough locations
- Tips & Tricks
The hydrangea does not bloom - what can be the cause?
If the hoped-for flowers of the hydrangeas remain, this can have different reasons. In addition to the wrong cut or frost damage, various other care mistakes or the wrong location may be responsible for the fact that the actually very flowering Hydrangea forms only leaves.
Young plants must first acclimatize
Hydrangeas often do not produce flowers in the first year after planting. At first, the shrub puts all its power into rooting and has to adapt to the changed conditions of the site. If you have some patience with the beautiful shrub, it will reward you in the second year guaranteed with a rich flowering.
Location and optimal neighbors
Like many flowering plants, the hydrangea has very specific requirements for the location. The hydrangeas do not bloom, or only very sparingly, when the spot where they are used is too dark or there is an acute nutrient deficiency. Very well suited is a slightly shady place, which should be protected from the wind and the hydrangea offers plenty of room to grow. Excellent is a bald spot under a deep-rooted tree. The wood protects the hydrangea from wind, midday sun and heavy rain, thus promoting healthy growth.
An optimal nutrient supply ensures abundance of flowers
Hydrangeas prefer a slightly acidic substrate with a pH of about 4.5. You can easily measure this yourself with chopsticks from the gardening trade and, if necessary, improve the soil by introducing rhododendron soil.
Fertilize the hydrangea twice a year with a suitable fertilizer, so that the plant can absorb all nutrients and trace elements necessary for vigorous growth and rich flower formation.
Water regularly
The plant name Hydrangea means "Wasserschlürferin" and refers to the large water needs of the hydrangea. Just two days of drought can cause the hydrangea to wither or no flowers. Therefore, always water the shrub when the upper centimeters of the earth feel dry. However, avoid waterlogging, to which the hydrangea is very sensitive.
Wrong cut
If you cut back the hydrangea too much in autumn, the flowers may fall victim to this care measure. Many hydrangea cultivars form the flower buds for the following spring already in the fall, which are unintentionally removed in the autumn cut.
For this reason, break out the blooms with care and do not cut the hydrangea back in the fall if possible. Only remove deadwood and damaged branches before the plants get their winter protection.
Frost damage in rough locations
Although almost all commercially available hydrangea varieties are hardy, the plants need sufficient winter protection. In particular, you should not only plant and mulch young plants, but also protect the hydrangea from frost and icy winds with a suitable fleece.
Tips & Tricks
Since hydrangeas are very soil-faithful, you should plan the planting thoroughly. Feels the Hydrangea well, it needs little care and sets at the latest in the second year abundantly flowers.