Planting hydrangea seeds garden planting and outdoor care

Hydrangea is an amazingly beautiful flower that will certainly become a decoration of your garden. Taking care of her is not so difficult - only basic recommendations must be followed. It is much more important to know how to plant a hydrangea with seeds. This is what will be discussed further.

Choosing hydrangea seeds for planting

Garden hydrangea is a flowering plant that is characterized by three methods of reproduction. If you do not have the opportunity to get cuttings or layering, then it can be grown from seeds.

When buying planting material, give preference to only trusted manufacturers. It is advisable to purchase grains that were brought from Japan or China. It is in these countries that the flower is found in natural habitat.

Before planting hydrangea seeds, you need to know how they look, otherwise you can run into a fake. High-quality planting material must meet the following requirements:

• the seeds must be whole, without any spots, marks or damage;
• not to have traces of the disease, not to be frozen and lethargic.

The hydrangea seeds themselves are dark brown in color, very small in size and oblong in shape. Do not forget to ask the seller if the grains meet the varietal characteristics. For growing on the territory of Russia, such varieties of hydrangeas as Macrophila, Panicle, Treelike and Pereshkovaya are perfect.

Hydrangea from seeds can be easily grown at home. This is a fairly effective method that flower growers often use. Next, we will tell you how to plant hydrangea in open ground and special boxes at home.

Planting seeds in open ground

Before sowing, you need to choose a suitable planting site and prepare it. Hydrangea loves cool and shady places. It should not be placed in direct sun, otherwise it will burn and hurt.

In open ground, seeds should be planted in late April - early May. The landing instructions are as follows:

1. Dig up the ground, remove all vegetation and weeds.
2. Fertilize the soil with peat, humus, or compost.
3. Form a tall bed and carefully level the soil with a rake.
4. Next, scatter the seeds in a chaotic manner and lightly press down with your finger.No need to bury it.
5. Sprinkle the sowing site with sand, which will act as a drainage.
6. Spray gently on top with a little water.

The first shoots of hydrangea will sprout in a month. During this time, make sure that there are no weeds, water and feed. In case of frost, cover the seeds with paper.

Planting seeds in boxes at home

This is a more time consuming method of growing hydrangeas from seed. You can sow in containers already in winter. The landing stages are as follows:

1. The seeds must be germinated before planting. Put tousled cotton wool in a low saucer, carefully lay out the seeds and cover with a second layer of cotton wool. Pour in a small amount of boiled water and leave for a couple of days. If mucus or an unpleasant odor suddenly appears, rinse the grains under running water and soak again. As soon as the seed swells or a root appears, you can start planting.
2. The soil for planting should contain sand, leafy earth, sod land, humus and peat in a ratio of 12: 1: 1: 1: 12. If you do not have such components, then collect from the mole or dig up forest soil. Wooden boxes are ideal for planting.
3. When everything is ready, sow the seeds in prepared boxes with soil mixture, press down a little, sprinkle with water and cover with foil or glass. Try to keep the temperature at 14-20 degrees. So the seeds will give good germination.
4. The film should be removed when the first shoots appear. Before that, periodically ventilate the ground and monitor the moisture content of the soil.

The laboriousness of seed breeding in boxes is that hydrangea seedlings must be dived 2 times. This procedure consists in transplanting seedlings into separate pots or large containers at a great distance from each other.

The first dive is performed in the phase of cotyledonous leaves. The second pick takes place in May, when sunny and warm weather sets in.

Plant pots should be taken outside during the day to temper them. Make sure that there are no drafts and direct sunlight does not fall on young seedlings. Bring the pots home at night.

Seedlings obtained in this way should be grown in pots for 2 years. When the first buds appear, they must be cut off immediately so that the nutrients go to the roots and the plant takes root properly. Flowers in open ground can only be planted in the third year.

Instructions for planting seedlings in open ground

Hydrangea cuttings are planted both in early spring, even before the leaves bloom, and in autumn and summer. The distance between the bushes should be at least 1 m.You need to plant like this:

1. Dig a shallow hole that is 2-3 times the diameter of the root system.
2. Pour a fertile mixture at the bottom and mix it with the soil. Hydrangea potting soil, which contains an acidic top layer of peat, can be purchased at the store.
3. Place the seedlings so that the roots are not above ground level. Cover with soil and tamp lightly.
4. Water the bushes liberally and mulch the soil.

Hydrangea seedlings care

After planting, the seedlings need to be cared for. To grow a strong and flowering shrub, young plants need to be regularly fed, watered, weeded and treated for pests.

Hydrangea loves moisture very much, so always keep the soil moist. If the topsoil dries up, irrigate it immediately with water, otherwise the flower will wither. Be careful not to overgrow the plants. Watering should be done regularly, especially in hot and dry weather. If it rains, watering stops.

Another important component of hydrangea care is feeding. Fertilizers are applied until June. If your soil is fertile and rich, then you do not need to feed the flowers. In light and sandy soil, plants need to be fed in late winter or early spring.

To accelerate the growth of seedlings, you need to apply mineral and organic fertilizers to the soil.It is advisable not to add substances that contain nitrogen, since the winter hardiness of the plant may deteriorate.

After planting hydrangea seedlings, pruning must be done. Weak and damaged branches must be completely removed. This is done to form the main stems and give the hydrangea shrub a decorative shape.

With proper planting and proper care, hydrangeas are unlikely to be damaged by any diseases and pests. However, some precautions still need to be followed:

• avoid scorching sunlight;
• add fertilizing on time and using the correct technology;
• try to follow the watering regime;
• do not thicken, give the hydrangea freedom.

Finally, we will reveal one secret how to turn a shrub of the same color into an amazing pink-blue plant. in the spring add sulfate, aluminum salts or sulfur to the soil. To ensure a smooth color transition, enrich the ground unevenly.

Garden hydrangea also reproduces well by seeds. There are 2 ways to plant them. In both cases, gorgeous shrubs can be grown. Subject to all the necessary rules for planting seeds, the plant will delight the eye with the splendor of its flowering all season. Huge inflorescences give a special charm to the garden.

Hydrangea is an amazingly beautiful flower that will certainly become a decoration of your garden. It is not so difficult to care for her - only basic recommendations must be followed. It is much more important to know how to plant a hydrangea with seeds. This is what will be discussed further.

Choosing hydrangea seeds for planting

Garden hydrangea is a flowering plant that is characterized by three methods of reproduction. If you do not have the opportunity to get cuttings or layering, then it can be grown from seeds.

When buying planting material, give preference to only trusted manufacturers. It is advisable to purchase grains that were brought from Japan or China. It is in these countries that the flower is found in natural habitat.

Before planting hydrangea seeds, you need to know how they look, otherwise you can run into a fake. High-quality planting material must meet the following requirements:

• the seeds must be whole, without any spots, marks or damage;
• not to have traces of the disease, not to be frozen and lethargic.

The hydrangea seeds themselves are dark brown in color, very small in size and oblong in shape. Do not forget to ask the seller if the grains meet the varietal characteristics. For growing on the territory of Russia, such varieties of hydrangeas as Macrophila, Panicle, Treelike and Pereshkovaya are perfect.

Hydrangea from seeds can be easily grown at home. This is a fairly effective method that flower growers often use. Next, we will tell you how to plant hydrangea in open ground and special boxes at home.

Planting seeds in open ground

Before sowing, you need to choose a suitable planting site and prepare it. Hydrangea loves cool and shady places. It should not be placed in direct sun, otherwise it will burn and hurt.

In open ground, seeds should be planted in late April - early May. The landing instructions are as follows:

1. Dig up the ground, remove all vegetation and weeds.
2. Fertilize the soil with peat, humus, or compost.
3. Form a tall bed and carefully level the soil with a rake.
4. Next, scatter the seeds in a chaotic manner and lightly press down with your finger. No need to bury it.
5. Sprinkle the sowing site with sand, which will act as a drainage.
6. Spray gently on top with a little water.

The first shoots of hydrangea will sprout in a month. During this time, make sure that there are no weeds, water and feed. In case of frost, cover the seeds with paper.

Planting seeds in boxes at home

This is a more time consuming method of growing hydrangeas from seed. You can sow in containers already in winter. The landing stages are as follows:

1. The seeds must be germinated before planting. Put tousled cotton wool in a low saucer, carefully lay out the seeds and cover with a second layer of cotton wool. Pour in a small amount of boiled water and leave for a couple of days. If mucus or an unpleasant odor suddenly appears, rinse the grains under running water and soak again. As soon as the seed swells or a root appears, you can start planting.
2. The soil for planting should contain sand, leafy earth, sod land, humus and peat in a ratio of 12: 1: 1: 1: 12. If you do not have such components, then collect from the mole or dig up forest soil. Wooden boxes are ideal for planting.
3. When everything is ready, sow the seeds in prepared boxes with soil mixture, press down a little, sprinkle with water and cover with foil or glass. Try to keep the temperature at 14-20 degrees. So the seeds will give good germination.
4. The film should be removed when the first shoots appear. Before that, periodically ventilate the ground and monitor the moisture content of the soil.

The laboriousness of seed breeding in boxes is that hydrangea seedlings must be dived 2 times. This procedure consists in transplanting seedlings into separate pots or large containers at a great distance from each other.

The first dive is performed in the phase of cotyledonous leaves. The second pick takes place in May, when sunny and warm weather sets in.

Plant pots should be taken outside during the day to temper them. Make sure that there are no drafts and direct sunlight does not fall on young seedlings. Bring the pots home at night.

Seedlings obtained in this way should be grown in pots for 2 years. When the first buds appear, they must be cut off immediately so that the nutrients go to the roots and the plant takes root properly. Flowers in open ground can only be planted in the third year.

Instructions for planting seedlings in open ground

Hydrangea cuttings are planted both in early spring, even before the leaves bloom, and in autumn and summer. The distance between the bushes should be at least 1 m.You need to plant like this:

1. Dig a shallow hole that is 2-3 times larger in diameter than the root system.
2. Pour a fertile mixture at the bottom and mix it with the soil. Hydrangea potting soil, which contains an acidic top layer of peat, can be purchased at the store.
3. Place the seedlings so that the roots are not above ground level. Cover with soil and tamp lightly.
4. Water the bushes liberally and mulch the soil.

Hydrangea seedlings care

After planting, the seedlings need to be cared for. To grow a strong and flowering shrub, young plants need to be regularly fed, watered, weeded and treated against pests.

Hydrangea loves moisture very much, so always keep the soil moist. If the topsoil dries up, irrigate it immediately with water, otherwise the flower will wither. Be careful not to overgrow the plants. Watering should be done regularly, especially in hot, dry weather. If it rains, watering stops.

Another important component of hydrangea care is feeding. Fertilizers are applied until June. If your soil is fertile and rich, then you do not need to feed the flowers. In light and sandy soil, plants need to be fed in late winter or early spring.

To accelerate the growth of seedlings, you need to apply mineral and organic fertilizers to the soil. It is advisable not to add substances that contain nitrogen, since the winter hardiness of the plant may deteriorate.

After planting hydrangea seedlings, pruning must be done. Weak and damaged branches must be completely removed. This is done to form the main stems and give the hydrangea shrub a decorative shape.

With proper planting and proper care, hydrangeas are unlikely to be damaged by any diseases and pests. However, some precautions still need to be followed:

• avoid scorching sunlight;
• add fertilizing on time and using the correct technology;
• try to follow the watering regime;
• do not thicken, give the hydrangea freedom.

Finally, we will reveal one secret how to turn a shrub of the same color into an amazing pink-blue plant. in the spring add sulfate, aluminum salts or sulfur to the soil. To ensure a smooth transition of color, enrich the ground unevenly.

Garden hydrangea also reproduces well by seeds. There are 2 ways to plant them. In both cases, gorgeous shrubs can be grown. Subject to all the necessary rules for planting seeds, the plant will delight the eye with the splendor of its flowering all season. Huge inflorescences give a special charm to the garden.

Hydrangea belongs to the Hortensia family. The genus includes about 70 species of various shrubs, dwarf trees and lianas. Large-leaved hydrangea is cultivated in the southern and western regions of Russia. In the northern regions, these flowers can be found on window sills as a pot culture. Most often, the plant is grown by seed. Sprouted seedlings can only be transferred to open ground after 2 years.

1 Plant description

Some varieties of hydrangeas reach 2-4 m in height, and the growth of lianas sometimes exceeds 30 m. Deciduous shrubs are mainly cultivated, but there are also evergreen varieties. The leaves of the plants are large, oval in shape, with sharp teeth at the edges.

The flowers are composed of 4 sepals and small fertile flowers that form inflorescences located at the top of the stem. Inflorescences are in the form of a ball, panicle or scutellum. In some types of hydrangea, large flowers are sterile, and small ones are fertile. Flowering lasts from May to October. Hydrangea seeds are small and numerous, in a 2-5-split box.

The color range of inflorescences is presented in white, pink, lilac, blue, red, beige shades. The blue color is obtained due to the property of hydrangea to accumulate in itself aluminum, which it takes from the soil.

The main types are described in the table:

View	Description
Tree-like	Bushes grow from 1 to 3 meters in height. At the beginning of the season, the flowers have a green tint, then turn white. Inflorescences in the form of a ball. The shoots are annual, new branches grow every year. This species is also called "White Globe" and is widespread in gardens and parks.
Paniculata	Single-stemmed and multi-stemmed trees grow up to 5 meters in height. Flowers are collected in paniculate inflorescences, similar to lilac flowers. A perennial plant lives for about 40 years. Abundant flowering begins in June, the buds fully open at the end of summer. At first they are greenish in color, in September they turn pink, then brick-colored and green again. The bushes are frost resistant. Main varieties: Tardiva, Kuishu, Grandiflora. The variety Sugar Dreams looks spectacular. It has a lush crown, oval leaves up to 13 cm in length. Inflorescences are pyramidal, panicles grow up to 25 cm in height. Sterile white flowers (2.5 cm in diameter) turn pink over time. The first flowers appear in the 4th year after planting. Bloom lasts from June to October
Large-leaved, or garden	Bushes of large-leaved hydrangea are grown in garden plots, compact varieties are "lodged" on terraces, grown on windowsills and balconies. Herbaceous shoots, so the flower does not tolerate frosts. The leaves are bright green, large. Garden hydrangea blooms on last year's shoots. The shape of the inflorescences is hemispherical, umbellate. The color depends on the soil: the lilac color is obtained on neutral soil, and the blue color is obtained on acidic soil. Popular varieties: Renata Steiger, Expression, Romance
Dubolistnaya	The species does not tolerate frost well and requires insulation for the winter. This variety has not only beautiful inflorescences, but also an unusual leaf shape. The height of the bushes reaches 2 meters. Inflorescences are large, 10-30 cm in diameter, bloom in mid-summer, white flowers turn pink by autumn
Ground cover, or variegated	Frost-resistant perennial, grows up to 3 meters. Inflorescences are corymbose, by the end of flowering they are pink in color. Blooms from early July to autumn

Hydrangea breeding methods at home

2 Cultivation

There are five ways hydrangea propagates:

• seeds;
• dividing the bush;
• layering;
• cuttings;
• offspring.

At home, you can grow a hydrangea from seeds. This method works best for the garden variety. The seeds can be collected independently in the fall from fertile flowers.

The seed should not be moist and rotten. Selected seeds are disinfected to reduce the risk of disease. To do this, the seeds are soaked for 15 minutes in a weak solution of potassium permanganate, after placing them in cheesecloth.

Necessary conditions for seed germination:

• Light. For the development of seedlings, bright, but diffused light is needed. It is better to place the containers on the south window, but the direct rays should not fall on the seedlings.
• Temperature. The room should not be colder than +20 degrees.
• Humidity. You can place containers of water next to the pots to increase the humidity in the air.
• Top dressing. During the growth of seedlings, top dressing is applied twice during the growing season, using the preparations "Agricola", "Agrovita" or any fertilizer for hydrangeas.
• Watering. Once a month, watering is done with slightly acidified water.

Planting begins in February. A step-by-step seed reproduction method looks like this:

1. 1. Prepare a nutritious earthen mixture consisting of garden soil, peat additives, river sand (4: 2: 1). The sowing container is chosen at least 15 cm deep.
2. 2. Sow and cover the seeds with a centimeter layer of soil.
3. 3. Watering.
4. 4. Cover the containers with a film material, from time to time the film is removed for ventilation.
5. 5. Water the soil periodically to keep it slightly damp.
6. 6. Observe the temperature regime + 20 + 24 degrees.

A month later, when sprouts appear, the film is removed. The picking of seedlings is done two times:

• the first time - when a couple of leaves appear on plants;
• the second - at the beginning of May.

The capacity for each seedling should be at least 7-8 cm in diameter.

Hydrangea from seeds should be sown in open soil only two years after sowing. During this period, the seedlings will get stronger, take root and acclimatize. The soil for young animals should be nutritious, permeable, slightly acidic and loose.

Before planting bushes, lime should not be applied to the ground.

If the soil is of neutral acidity, it is watered with an acidic solution: 1 tsp is taken for 10 liters of water. citric acid. Peat fertilizers, humus, superphosphate are added to the hole, then everything is dug up. Drainage from rubble is laid at the bottom of the hole. The bushes are transferred to the holes, the earth is compacted, watered, then covered with mulch.

The distance between young plants should be at least 1 meter. It is recommended to choose a light site for planting, preferably on the eastern side of the garden, with diffused light: inconspicuous inflorescences are formed under the scorching sun.

3 Care

Hydrangea care is simple and consists of watering, feeding and pruning.

Bushes that have been grown from seeds require frequent feeding:

1. 1. The first fertilizer is applied in the spring, before the beginning of the growing season: 20 g of urea per bucket of water.
2. 2. The second feeding is carried out during the formation of inflorescences.

In the summer, the shrubs are fertilized every two weeks. Fertilizers are used complex, mineral, for hydrangeas. Slurry can be added twice a season. For plant growth, nitrogen and potassium supplements are used (1 tbsp. Potassium sulfate per 10 liters of water).

The soil around the plants should be moist all the time: this has a positive effect on the growth of hydrangeas. To do this, 2 times a week, an adult bush is watered with 30 liters of water at room temperature, the liquid is poured under the root. The earth is loosened to retain moisture and oxygenate the soil.

Pruning of bushes is carried out annually to create a beautiful crown, the formation of new shoots and abundant flowering. The first procedure is carried out in the 5th year of hydrangea life, in early spring. It is important to remove all diseased and weak branches. The tree-like hydrangea is pruned first. Large-leaved varieties are practically not pruned. It is necessary to weed around the bushes.

For preventive purposes, in order to avoid infection of the bushes with a fungus, a solution of potassium permanganate is used.

Large-leaved hydrangea of ​​low-growing varieties is used for growing in the house. It blooms from spring to autumn, and is dormant in winter. This hydrangea needs to be watered with settled or melt water.

If there is not enough acidity in the soil, the leaves of the plants may turn yellow, so you need to add a few drops of lemon juice to the water for irrigation. Flowers love light, but do not tolerate direct rays, so it is better to keep the pots at a distance of 1.5-2 meters from the window.

To decorate a flower bed or garden, you can use such an amazing plant as hydrangea. Today it is present in a wide variety, thanks to which the flower garden can be made original and beautiful. Gardeners prefer to grow this crop from seeds. But in order for a hydrangea to bloom for a long time, you need to know how to properly care for it.

What seeds look like

Before you start planting seeds, you need to know what they look like so as not to buy a fake. In addition, keep them intact and free of any spots or other marks indicating poor quality planting material. The hydrangea seeds themselves have an oblong shape of dark brown color.

How and when to plant seeds

Planting the seeds of the plant in question can take place without preparatory measures. Although it is possible to perform preliminary germination. So it is possible to achieve better seed germination. To do this, lay the planting material on a tousled cotton wool, and then on the bottom of the saucer. Now cover the seeds with a second layer of cotton wool. Add boiled water to the saucer and leave the container for a couple of days.

At the same time, it is necessary to check the seeds from time to time. There are situations when the planting material is covered with mucus. Then you will have to urgently wash it and repeat the manipulation again. Seeds that are on germination should be planted only when they swell.

Now it's time to take care of the quality of the soil. It should contain peat, sand, turf and forest soil, and humus. If it is not possible to create such a soil mixture, then you can use the soil taken from the mole holes.

A deep box must be prepared for planting seeds. Place the earth in it, but it should not reach 3-5 cm to the sides. Now you can place the seeds. At the same time, they will have to be sown without forming depressions in the soil. A little bit of earth on top. Now sprinkle everything thoroughly and put glass on top of the box.

On the video - growing hydrangea from seeds:

It is worth removing the glass only after the first seedlings have been formed. During this time, it is important to monitor the soil moisture level. For this it is necessary to ventilate the ground.

The seeds can be planted directly and in the open ground. To do this, you need to dig up the garden. Scatter seeds in a chaotic manner. Trample them a little and sprinkle with sand.

Care

Hydrangea is a plant that loves moisture. During the care of it, it is necessary to ensure high-quality watering. If there is a drought outside, then 20 liters of water should be consumed per bush per week. In order for the soil to hold moisture longer, it is necessary to take care of its acidity.For these purposes, mulching with bark, leaves and needles is used.

It is imperative to loosen the soil to a depth of 5-6 cm. If this is not done, the hydrangea will grow poorly. Several loosening will be enough during the season. Mineral fertilizers should be applied regularly.

Hydrangea belongs to plants that love warmth. If the cold is approaching, then it is worth preparing a shelter for the bushes.

It is worth hilling plants to a height of 20 cm, and then sprinkle each with a bucket filled with dry peat. But to combat ailments, you can use drugs such as Karbofos, Meta and Fitoverm.

Following these simple recommendations, every gardener will be able to grow beautiful hydrangea bushes in the garden or in the flower bed. They will delight you with light pink flowers every year.

But how the planting and care of the annual Lupine takes place, and in which part of the garden it is worth planting this plant, is described in this article.

Features of planting and care in Siberia

If it is necessary to grow a hydrangea in Siberia, then the planting process is carried out according to the following plan:

1. Determine a landing site. It is better to plant hydrangea seeds in Siberia in spring, when all frosts are behind.
2. Now decide on a seedling... When you have chosen a plant variety, you need to pay due attention to the quality of the sprout. Carefully inspect the lump of soil in which the plants are located. The earth should not be overdried, as hydrangea is demanding on moisture.
3. When planting hydrangeas, it is necessary to understand that the future bush will have a normal height, so that the chosen place should provide space for the plant.... The flowers must also be protected from the wind. The soil should be slightly to medium acidic. It must include peat, sand and leaves. Send 2 buckets of water into the hole 12 hours before disembarkation. Now you can start preparing the potting mix. To do this, you have to take peat, humus, sand and soil in a ratio of 2: 1: 1: 2. Also, do not forget about mineral fertilizers.
4. Send the resulting mixture to the hole... Place a seedling grown from seed. So that it takes root well, pour water over it and lay the leaves on top. A young bush must be extremely protected from the sun and wind.

On the video - growing hydrangea from seeds at home:

As for caring for hydrangea in Siberian conditions, it is not particularly whimsical. It may well bloom even in such harsh conditions. This bush is very fond of water. So it is necessary to carefully monitor that the ground is moist. Sprinkle it on top with sawdust. This will keep moisture in the soil longer. If the plant dries up, it will have a bad effect on the quality of flowering.

Another hydrangea growing in Siberia requires pruning. This will produce a beautiful and lush shrub with the correct shape. In this case, you need to follow some minor rules:

• pruning is in the spring, when the buds have not yet woken up;
• all faded inflorescences must be removed;
• cut off shoots, leave 3-5 buds;
• rejuvenate the plant by removing branches in order to achieve new and young shoots soon.

It will also be interesting to learn about how Scabiosa annuals are grown from seeds.

For amateur gardeners, it is worth paying attention to how the planting and caring for the Ipomoea annual occurs.

In the video - when to plant hydrangea seeds for seedlings:

Also, a plant in Siberia should be fed. Do this 4 times a year. Use organic and mineral fertilizers. Liquid manure will be an excellent remedy. But only its amount should be moderate. Otherwise, it will harm the bush. You can buy fertilizers at any store.

But what is best to choose an annual or perennial of Cineraria silvery is described in great detail in this article.

It will also be interesting to know how the seeds of Phlox annuals are planted for seedlings, can be seen in the video in this article.

It will also be interesting to know how the annual Normandy is grown from lavender seeds.

All ingredients are balanced there. It is enough just to add the chosen agent to the water during irrigation. Top dressing should be done in early spring, when buds begin to form, in summer and before winter.

Hydrangea is an unpretentious ornamental plant, which is actively used today when drawing up an original flower arrangement. Due to the wide range of varieties, each gardener will be able to choose his ideal option. The plant can grow even in Siberia, if you strictly adhere to the recommendations during planting and care.

Lush hydrangea inflorescences cannot be overlooked. They add flavor to any garden. There are shrubs, vines and trees. All varieties are united by their appearance: a spherical shape of inflorescences and large green leaves. There are several ways of propagation of hydrangeas: by seeds, cuttings and layers. Seedlings from seeds grow no worse than from cuttings or layers.

Preparing seeds for planting

Lat. Hydrángea

The large-leaved hydrangea varieties are better propagated by the seed method. This is a shrub that grows up to four meters under appropriate conditions.

The color of its flowers can vary from blue to pink. Large-leaved hydrangea is common in the southern and western parts of Russia. In the north and east, it is grown as a pot culture. The seeds can be bought both in garden stores and online.

The highest germination rate is obtained from seed from Japan or China. These countries are the natural habitat of hydrangeas. You can collect seeds from fertile flowers. They are small and inconspicuous. Lush inflorescences are sterile, they do not form seeds.

The viable seeds are intact, there are no dents or other damage on them. If the ordered material is damp or does not match the color, then it is dried in the oven. The seed material of all tree-like perennials needs preliminary preparation.

It accelerates germination, improves the number of sprouts, and reduces the risk of diseases. For disinfection, the seeds are soaked in potassium permanganate or a solution of copper sulfate.

Planting seeds and growing seedlings indoors

The seeds are planted in February. Before planting, they are germinated. The material is placed on damp cotton wool or gauze, and after swelling, they begin to work. To prepare a nutritious substrate, you will need leafy earth, peat and sand in equal parts.

The container is filled with earth, and the seeds are laid out on top, without burying them. Sprinkle them on top with a layer of sand. The container is covered with glass or transparent film.

The seed is periodically moistened, but instead of a watering can, a spray bottle is used for irrigation. Excess moisture will lead to seed rot. The first shoots appear a few weeks after planting. Hydrangea can be planted in separate pots with the appearance of the second leaves. Caring for a plant is no different from caring for other indoor flowers. The pots are placed in a lighted place; direct sunlight should be avoided. The land is periodically loosened, often watered and complex fertilizers are applied.

Pruning hydrangeas in the fall

In order for the sprouts to quickly develop to the size of seedlings, they need to create a certain microclimate. Factors that affect the growth and development of young hydrangea:

• Bright diffused light. If the sun is not enough, then the delicate foliage will fade, and the plant itself will stop developing.
• Direct sunlight will cause burns. It is better to put the pots on the south window, after covering it with tulle.
• Heat. In the summertime, the thermometer should not drop below twenty degrees. For wintering, seedlings are sent to a dark, cool place.
• High air humidity. Young plants grown from seeds are regularly sprayed with a spray bottle.If there is no time for this, then you can put saucers of water next to the pots or use a humidifier.
• Fertilizers. During the growing season, feeding is applied 2 times a month. For hydrangea use "Agricola", "Iskra Zolotaya", "Agrovita" or a special fertilizer for azaleas, hydrangeas and rhododendrons. By autumn, the amount of dressings is reduced, and in winter they are not required.
• Soil acidity. Once a month, plants should be watered with slightly acidified water.

If these conditions are met, the seedlings grow strong and disease-resistant.

Choosing a place and soil in the garden

Hydrangea from seeds is planted in open ground two years after germination. This time is enough for the plant to fully acclimatize. Correctly selected soil affects the development of seedlings and the shades of future inflorescences.

The main conditions are:

• acidity;
• nutritional value;
• water permeability;
• ease.

Blooming white hydrangea

The plant thrives best on slightly acidic soils. Before planting, the soil must not be deoxidized, that is, lime must be added.

Soil with a low pH level is spilled with a citric acid solution. A teaspoon of acid is required for 10 liters of water. Sour high-moor peat is added to the planting pit. Some fertilizers affect acidity: ferrous sulfate, ammonium sulfate and potassium sulfate.

The planting hole is dug up, humus and superphosphate are added. Drainage from sand and gravel is poured to the bottom. The roots of young plants are covered with a mixture of black soil, sand and peat. Then a layer of earth around the hydrangea is mulched. The mulch retains the moisture that hydrangeas need so much.

The distance between seedlings should be at least one meter. The shrub loves diffused light. Under the scorching rays of the sun, tiny and nondescript flower stalks will form. The best option is the east side.

Hydrangeas grown from seeds need a lot of feeding. The first application is carried out in the spring, before the beginning of the growing season.

The next portion of fertilizer is applied during the period of bud formation. In summer, seedlings and mature shrubs are fed every 14 days.

Care

A young plant, which was recently a seed, requires special attention after planting in a permanent place.

The main factor affecting growth is abundant watering. The soil in the trunk circle must be constantly moistened. Periodically, the soil is loosened to retain moisture and oxygenate the soil.

Hydrangea decoration of the road area

To prevent seedlings from fungal and bacterial diseases, they are spilled with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

The procedure is carried out once a month. Mulch is required to protect the roots. Peat, bark and wood chips have worked well. The thickness of the mulch is 10 cm.

In order for the hydrangea to grow quickly, it needs nitrogen-potash fertilizers at the beginning of the season. A tablespoon of urea and potassium sulfate is diluted in a bucket of water. One bush requires two liters of working solution.

Hydrangea blooms in the third year after planting. From this moment, the bushes begin to feed with slurry. Fertilizers are applied carefully: due to its excess, large inflorescences develop, which can break thin branches. With the onset of frost, young bushes bend down and sprinkle with earth. From above, the bush can be covered with lutrasil.

How to make a hydrangea bloom quickly

Flowers form on last year's shoots. The buds are laid in late autumn. To admire the inflorescences every year, you should cover well both young seedlings and lignified bushes. In addition, it is necessary:

Protect hydrangea from frost. In early autumn, in the late afternoon, the bushes are covered with lutrasil so that it does not come into contact with the tops of the shoots.

Water the bushes abundantly in dry autumn. Before leaving for the winter, the plant must receive the maximum amount of moisture.

• Do not open the bushes immediately after the snow melts. Geotextiles are removed as soon as the risk of frost disappears.
• Do not skip top dressing. The hydrangea must take whatever it takes to bloom next season.
• Do not cut off young bushes. You can shape and remove dried inflorescences as soon as the hydrangea is 3 years old.

The path from seed to flowering perennial takes about five years on average. In an apartment, the plant will bloom much earlier.

While watching the video, you will learn about growing hydrangeas.

This is not to say that growing hydrangeas from seeds is a troublesome business. The range of varieties that the stores offer are pleasing to the eye, and the hydrangea itself is undemanding to the conditions of detention. All that is required from the gardener is patience and time.

Flowers and flower beds

Hydrangea is a beautiful garden flower with fluffy multi-colored caps. They are represented by several types: by the type of shrubs up to 3 m high, small trees and vines that can braid a tree up to 30 m in height. The hydrangea will bloom from spring to frost, delighting with its globular inflorescences. However, there are species for which this time is shorter.

Hydrangea planting rules

You can plant a hydrangea in early spring or fall. In this case, the first option will be preferable. For hydrangeas, you need to choose the right planting site. She prefers acidic soil with good moisture. With regard to lighting, these flowers can feel comfortable both in the sun and in partial shade.

The whole planting process can be divided into several stages:

1. It is necessary to dig a hole 40-50 cm deep and 40 cm in diameter. If the hydrangea bushes or outgrowths are small, you can make the hydrangea slightly smaller.
2. Now you need to prepare a soil mixture consisting of fertile soil, humus and peat. It is advisable to add 50 g of mineral fertilizer to it. If possible, such a mixture is left in the pit for 15 to 30 days. If the soil at the planting site is rich and fertile, then the plant can be planted directly into it without prior preparation.
3. The prepared seedling must be placed in the center of the planting pit so that its root collar is not deeply buried. Around the plant, you should carefully cover it with soil and tamp it so that the roots are well pressed and there is no void around them.
4. The planted bush should be watered abundantly. It is advisable to additionally sprinkle the soil on top with sawdust, bark or peat.

After planting a hydrangea bush, it is better to cover it from sunlight for a few days. This will allow the plant to take root faster. Hydrangea can be planted both singly and in groups. In this case, the distance between the bushes should be about 1 meter.

Basic rules for caring for hydrangea

Hydrangea care comes down primarily to proper watering, timely feeding, pruning and loosening. If you do everything right, the bushes will be lush, and the inflorescences will be large and bright.

Watering

Hydrangea is a moisture-loving plant that requires frequent watering. It should be plentiful, 15 - 20 liters for each adult bush. In hot weather, this should be done once a week. In hot and dry summers, watering can be increased up to twice a week. In this case, you need to focus on the condition of the soil, given how quickly it absorbs moisture and dries out.

For watering, it is best to use settled soft water at room temperature. Periodically, you need to add a little potassium permanganate to it, which will prevent the appearance of rot. Water the hydrangea in the morning or evening, when it is not too hot.

Top dressing

For good development and lush flowering, hydrangea needs to be fed. For this, both organic and mineral fertilizers are suitable. Their use is especially important during periods of intensive growth. You can buy ready-made fertilizers that are rich in magnesium and iron. Feeding in the form of a solution of poultry droppings with water in a ratio of 1:10 in combination with a mineral composition of 20 g of superphosphate, 10 g of nitrate and 10 g of urea has a good composition.You can use any slurry as a fertilizer, just observe the measure, otherwise the buds will be too large, which can cause fragile branches to break.

It is necessary to fertilize hydrangea not only during planting, but periodically as it grows. The first such feeding should be done at the end of May. It should be repeated after two weeks. You can fertilize flowers throughout the summer, but in August it is advisable to stop feeding so that the shoots can become woody for winter.

Mulching

Thanks to the mulching of the trunk circle, the roots of the hydrangea will be protected from overheating and rapid growth of weeds. You must first make an organic mulch consisting of wood chips or peat. It should be scattered evenly around the bush. This will help make the soil more acidic, which is what hydrangeas need. This mulch will gradually become part of the soil.

It is best to apply mulch under the bushes in late spring, when the soil is well warmed up. Mulching is also possible in late autumn, when temperatures are below zero. Periodically, the shrubs need to be loosened so that the soil is more moisture permeable.

Pruning

Pruning is done on plants that are 3 to 4 years old. This should be done in early spring - before sap flow and budding begin. If carried out too early, the cuttings will be unsuitable for further rooting, and if it is too late, the plant may die. This is why it is important to prune when the buds are just starting to swell.

When pruning in mature plants, cut 3/4 of the height of each shoot with a pruning shear. In this case, 2 - 3 pairs of kidneys should remain on them. Old bushes can be renewed at the root. Everything will depend on the condition of the bush or tree. You need to cut off old or frozen shoots. During pruning, you can form a beautiful small tree with a certain shape. In the first year of the hydrangea's growth, its flowers should be removed. this will encourage more abundant flowering next year.

Preparing hydrangeas for winter

Hydrangea is a thermophilic plant, so it must be protected in the winter season. Young shoots and insufficiently winter-hardy varieties need special protection. If the bush is very young, you can simply cover it from above with earth, fallen leaves or sawdust. Older plants must be bent to the ground and covered with roofing material or lutrasil. To prevent the wind from blowing it away, you need to press down the covering material with bricks.

Mature bushes require more cover. We must try not to break them. The bush should be tied up, and then covered with spunbond or lutrasil, after which a frame of metal mesh or other materials at hand can be built around it. It should be about 20-25 cm away from the bush. The free space must be filled with dry foliage. Such an insulated frame will protect the hydrangea well even in severe frosts. You can remove it in the spring, when there is a stable above zero temperature.

Reproduction of hydrangea

Hydrangea is propagated in several ways:

1. Cuttings. Reproduction in this way is best done in mid-spring or early summer. One-year lateral shoots must be used as blanks. They should be about 10-12 cm long. Cuttings should be cut at right angles. From below they need to remove the leaves. To root cuttings, you need to prepare the soil. For this, a light substrate is used, consisting of fertile soil, peat and sand. You need to plant cuttings in it, placing them at an angle. Each individual plant should be 5 cm apart. It will take about a month to root the shoots.
2. By dividing the bush. It can be propagated both in spring and autumn. To do this, the plant must be dug up and divided into several parts so that each individual bush has a bud of renewal.After that, the plant is simply planted in the prepared places.
3. Layers. For the reproduction of hydrangea by layering, you need to select young shoots, which will not be more than a year old. They should be bent to the ground and dug in so that a small top of 20 cm remains on top. The next year, the shoot will take root and it can be separated from the main bush and planted in another place.
4. Seeds. This is a rather troublesome process, so this breeding method is rarely used. The seeds need to be grown at home. To do this, they are planted in pots and only lightly sprinkled with sand. They need to be watered and fertilized frequently as they grow.

Popular types of hydrangea

Before planting a hydrangea, you need to decide on the choice of a suitable type. Each of them has its own growing characteristics, which must be taken into account when planting and caring for. The most popular among gardeners: Large-leaved hydrangea, Paniculata hydrangea, Stalked hydrangea, Treelike hydrangea.

Large-leaved hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla)

It will delight with flowering in July-August. This hydrangea has bright, dense foliage. The shoots of the current year look herbaceous, which is why the plant has a low cold resistance. The flowers are umbrella-shaped. They can have different colors depending on the variety, the intensity of which depends on the acidity of the soil. The more acidic it is, the brighter the hydrangea will be. The height of the bush reaches 2 m.

Hydrangea paniculata (Hydrangea paniculata)

Blooms from mid-summer until the onset of cold weather. Inflorescences of this type have a pyramidal shape. They can reach a length of up to 30 cm. Panicle hydrangea grows in the form of a shrub, which can reach a height of 5 m or in the form of a small tree up to 10 m. This species is considered more frost-resistant and unpretentious.

Stalked hydrangea (Hydrangea petiolaris)

It is a shrub vine. It will require an additional support to which it will be attached with air suction cups. In length, it grows up to 25 m. This is a suitable species for planting near arches and arbors. Inflorescences have a corymbose shape up to 25 cm in size.

Hydrangea tree (Hydrangea arborescens)

It grows up to 3 meters in height. The flowers are predominantly white or cream in color. There are several varieties of this species, differing in different colors. In winter, the plant can freeze slightly, so it must be carefully wrapped. In April, the bushes need to be heavily pruned. The flowers grow in large fluffy inflorescences.

Ground cover hydrangea (Hydrangea heteromalla)

It is also called the Bretschneider hydrangea. This species is considered hardy and unpretentious. The bush reaches 2 - 3 m in height. The inflorescences are corymbose. At first they are white, and at the end of flowering they turn pink. Such a hydrangea blooms in the middle of summer.

Recommendations for planting and caring for hydrangea in the garden - video

Hydrangea grows naturally in South Asia, North America and the Far East. Its life form is represented mainly by shrubs, but there are also hydrangea-lianas. In total, there are almost a hundred species of hydrangeas in the world. They differ from each other in color, height and splendor of flowering. Large and attractive flowers leave almost no one indifferent. Therefore, this flower has taken its place of honor in landscape design and in summer cottages. In this review, we will talk about proper planting and caring for this flower.

Description and characteristics of garden hydrangea

In a cold climate, hydrangea is not able to grow to the size with which it pleases the inhabitants of southern Asia and Japan. Dense thickets of lianas braiding trees, and evergreen varieties of shrubs are also not pleasing to the eye. But compact hydrangea bushes, with proper care, will look no worse than if they grew in their homeland.

Lush hydrangea bushes

Hydrangea leaves are quite large, veins are clearly visible on them, the edges are often serrated, and the leaves are located on the stem opposite each other. Flowering begins in early summer, and ends with the onset of frost. Flowers are large, spherical or paniculate. Most varieties bloom with white flowers. But the large-leaved hydrangea can change color depending on the level of acidity of the soil.

It blooms in white when the acidity of the soil is neutral; lilac and pink when alkaline. And if the soil is acidic, then the flowers take on a beautiful blue color.

The color of a plant is influenced by the aluminum in the soil, which plants are able to accumulate in themselves.

Another plant is very similar to hydrangea - schizophagma. It is also called petiolate hydrangea. But it should be remembered that in fact it is not a hydrangea and belongs to a completely different genus.

Schizophragma hydrangea

Growing features

To change the color of the inflorescences of large-leaved hydrangea, it is necessary to adjust the acidity of the soil. To obtain blue flowers, the soil must be acidified, and for pink flowers, it must be deacidified with lime or dolomite flour.

Hydrangea loves moisture very much, so there is no need to spare water for it and water it abundantly enough.

Flowers love the sun in the morning hours, and at noon they need partial shade so that the petals do not fade.
Hydrangea must be covered for the winter. This is especially true of the large-leaved hydrangea that blooms on last year's shoots.

But pests and diseases do not affect this plant very often.

How to grow from seeds

Species hydrangeas can be grown from seeds. But, as you know, during seed reproduction, the properties of the mother plant can be lost. Therefore, this method is used for the selection of new species. The seeds are sown in the fall. The soil mixture for planting should consist of four parts of leafy soil, two parts of peat and one part of river sand.

Hydrangea Seeds

The seeds should be sprinkled with a light layer of earth and moistened with a spray bottle. Then the box with the sown seeds must be covered with foil or glass. Condensate is periodically removed from them, and crops are opened for ventilation and humidification. After all, the ground should always be moist. The most favorable temperature for seed germination is from 14 - 20 degrees. In a month and a half, shoots will appear.

Seedlings of home-sown Hydrangea seeds

After that, the glass is completely removed. As the plants grow, a pick is made twice. The first time the seedlings dive at the stage of cotyledon leaves. And in May, a second pick is carried out with the transplantation of each plant into a separate container with a diameter of 7 centimeters.

After the last pick, the seedlings begin to harden. They are taken out into the fresh air during the day, protected from direct sunlight, rain moisture and drafts. At night, hydrangeas are brought into the room. For the first two years, they will grow at home. In a cool and bright room in winter, and on the balcony in summer, but you should try to take them out into the fresh air. The buds should be cut off so that the bloom does not weaken the young plants.

Transfer to the ground

After two years, the seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the garden. Planting is done in early spring.

In autumn, plants are planted only in areas with a cold climate.

The landing site should be sunny, shaded at midday. Hydrangea prefers soil slightly acidic or neutral, rich in organic matter and rather loose. High-moor peat must be added to alkaline soil. Trees and bushes should not grow near the planting site.

The size of the hole for the flower should be twice the size of the earthen coma of the hydrangea. Fertilizers, peat and sod land are introduced into the pit. Then you should take out the seedling, lightly shake off the ground and spread its roots. Place the hydrangea in the hole so that the roots are free in it.You need to fill up the hole with earth mixed with compost. The root ball should be slightly above the level of the site. The soil around the plant is crushed, watered and mulched with bark or needles.

Video about planting hydrangeas in open ground

Care and cultivation

The main rule is very abundant watering.

One adult plant can be poured 30-50 liters of water if the weather is hot. Watering should be reduced if the soil around the bushes is mulched. Several times over the summer, the soil is loosened to a depth of 5 centimeters in order to improve its aeration. During flowering, it is worth removing faded shoots.

Fertilizer

Hydrangea is fed 2 times a year. In the spring, 20 grams of urea is diluted in a bucket of water and the flower is watered with this solution. Three buckets must be poured onto one adult bush. And after flowering, the hydrangea is fed with a full complex of mineral fertilizers.... In the summer, you can water the flowers with slurry, but it is very important not to overdo it, because too large inflorescences can break the stems. To avoid breaking the stems, it is better to tie them up.

Fertilizers for hydrangeas

Pruning

For the first four years, hydrangeas do not require pruning. Further pruning in early spring, when the buds are slightly swollen... The panicle is cut off by a third, the tree-like one, leaving from three to six buds, but the large-leaved one should not be cut off. This type of hydrangea blooms on the shoots of the last year, so in the spring only old and growing shoots are removed in the spring. Cuttings obtained by pruning can be rooted.

Correct pruning of large-leaved, paniculate and tree hydrangea

Propagation by cuttings

There must be two nodes on the handle: the lower cut is made oblique, and the upper one is straight. The distance from the cut to the knot is about 2 centimeters.

Cuttings should be chosen healthy, strong, without damage.

They are planted in a small container with wet sand and peat soil. Cuttings are deepened by three centimeters, you can first powder them in "Kornevin" to stimulate root formation. The seedlings should be watered and kept moist at all times. From above, the cuttings are covered with a film, from which condensation must be regularly removed. After about a month, rooting will occur and the hydrangeas can be planted in a permanent place. In the first winters, even frost-resistant varieties need shelter.

Propagation of hydrangea by cuttings

How to prepare flowers for winter in the fall

In the fall, potted plants must be brought into the house. Garden hydrangeas mulch and huddle. The inflorescences and lower leaves must be removed. Removing the lower leaves contributes to the lignification of the shoots and the improvement of their frost resistance. Ground cover and panicle hydrangeas are the most frost-resistant and do not need shelter. Also in the central regions, tree hydrangea can do without shelter.

It is necessary to cover hydrangeas in October after the first frost.

It is enough to cover young plants with a thick layer of dry earth and foliage. Planks are placed around adult plants and shoots are pinned to them. The top is covered with foliage, spruce branches, spandbond and boards. You can also put tree branches on the bushes so that the snow on this place lasts longer. After winter, the shelter is removed gradually. Spandbond is harvested last when there is no danger of recurrent frost.

Video about the shelter of panicle hydrangea for the winter