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Punkinbyrd
- Newly Registered
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- Joined: Mon Jun 06, 2011 11:29 pm
- Location: Longview, Tx
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luis_pr
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 824
- Joined: Sun Jul 05, 2009 8:31 am
- Location: Hurst, TX USA Zone 7b/8a
It may be getting periods of dry followed by wet. If the leaves start to brown out from the edges, it is not getting enough moisture. Note however, that too much watering or planting in soil that does not drain well will -in time- make the roots develop root rot and the symptoms of root rot will be similar to those of lack of water.
To get the moisture problem under control, use the finger method for 1-2 weeks. Early in the morning, insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4". If it feels dry or almost dry, add 1 gallon of water to the soil (not to the plant and its leaves). If your finger feels moist or wet, do not water. If it regularly feels wet, investigate why and take appropriate action. Every time that you water, make a note in a wall calendar. Then after two weeks, review the information on the calendar to see how often you had to water: every 2 days, every 3 days, etc.
Next, set your sprinkler or drip irrigation to supply 1 gallon of water on that same frequency (every 2/3/4/etc days). If the temperature changes 10-15 degrees and stays there, use the finger method again. Anytime that you have to tweak the frequency, make a note in the wall calendar and pass on the information into next year's wall calendar so you know ahead of time how often you should be watering.
Year around, maintain the plant well mulched, with 3-4" of mulch up to the drip line or beyond. If the leaves wilt, and they always do that during the summer in Texas, resist the temptation to immediately water. Instead, test the soil with the finger method. If the soil feels dry or almost dry then water it; otherwise, the plant should recover on its own by the next morning. If it has not, give it 1/2 a gallon of water.
Wilting is reduced when the hydrangea becomes established. Time wise, that is about 1 to 2 years from the time that you planted it in the garden. But... they will always droop when temperatures hit the upper 90s and 100s. Just remember that they will get over it by the next day on their own. Use the finger method if you feel concerned.
A windy location will also cause wilting of the leaves. Should use see a wind advisory for "tomorrow", consider watering the night before.
Does that help you?
Luis
To get the moisture problem under control, use the finger method for 1-2 weeks. Early in the morning, insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4". If it feels dry or almost dry, add 1 gallon of water to the soil (not to the plant and its leaves). If your finger feels moist or wet, do not water. If it regularly feels wet, investigate why and take appropriate action. Every time that you water, make a note in a wall calendar. Then after two weeks, review the information on the calendar to see how often you had to water: every 2 days, every 3 days, etc.
Next, set your sprinkler or drip irrigation to supply 1 gallon of water on that same frequency (every 2/3/4/etc days). If the temperature changes 10-15 degrees and stays there, use the finger method again. Anytime that you have to tweak the frequency, make a note in the wall calendar and pass on the information into next year's wall calendar so you know ahead of time how often you should be watering.
Year around, maintain the plant well mulched, with 3-4" of mulch up to the drip line or beyond. If the leaves wilt, and they always do that during the summer in Texas, resist the temptation to immediately water. Instead, test the soil with the finger method. If the soil feels dry or almost dry then water it; otherwise, the plant should recover on its own by the next morning. If it has not, give it 1/2 a gallon of water.
Wilting is reduced when the hydrangea becomes established. Time wise, that is about 1 to 2 years from the time that you planted it in the garden. But... they will always droop when temperatures hit the upper 90s and 100s. Just remember that they will get over it by the next day on their own. Use the finger method if you feel concerned.
A windy location will also cause wilting of the leaves. Should use see a wind advisory for "tomorrow", consider watering the night before.
Does that help you?
Luis