Hydrangeas are quickly becoming one of the most popular plants in the world; I suspect they will give even the rose a run for it's money. Let's hear about those trials and tribulations with your hydrangeas and if you have any questions I'd be glad to help...
Scott
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The Helpful Gardener
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Hi there,
I am new to gardening. I saw that you were looking for some trials and tribulations to the wonderful world of hydrangeas. Well, I have some AWFUL tribulations to talk about.
I bought a beautiful Nikko Blue Hydrangea and couldn't wait for it to bloom. Well it did, and it was fushia pink!!
What can I do to make it blue, or maybe I got one that was labeled wrong. Secondly, my dear husband thought that he was helping me and pruned this beautiful thing. I think he cut it back to short, how can I tell? And if it is, do you think it will come back.
See, I told you I was a newbie
I am new to gardening. I saw that you were looking for some trials and tribulations to the wonderful world of hydrangeas. Well, I have some AWFUL tribulations to talk about.
I bought a beautiful Nikko Blue Hydrangea and couldn't wait for it to bloom. Well it did, and it was fushia pink!!
What can I do to make it blue, or maybe I got one that was labeled wrong. Secondly, my dear husband thought that he was helping me and pruned this beautiful thing. I think he cut it back to short, how can I tell? And if it is, do you think it will come back.See, I told you I was a newbie
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The Helpful Gardener
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- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT
Hiya!
This is all easily remedied, although the pruning job means no more flowers for this year. Hydrangeas are variable in flower color for the most part and the way to keep them blue is to acidify the soil. Clay soils have a tendency to be base; our New England soil is usually acidic. Aluminum sulphate is the drug of choice, but even some rusty nails in the soil around the plant will help keep your Nikko Blue! No more pruning unless it's right after flowering, lots of water, some Miracid, and you'll be fine...
Scott
This is all easily remedied, although the pruning job means no more flowers for this year. Hydrangeas are variable in flower color for the most part and the way to keep them blue is to acidify the soil. Clay soils have a tendency to be base; our New England soil is usually acidic. Aluminum sulphate is the drug of choice, but even some rusty nails in the soil around the plant will help keep your Nikko Blue! No more pruning unless it's right after flowering, lots of water, some Miracid, and you'll be fine...
Scott
-
The Helpful Gardener
- Mod
- Posts: 7491
- Joined: Mon Feb 09, 2004 9:17 pm
- Location: Colchester, CT