weed control affect on hydrangea
I just planted two "big easy" hydrangeas in a newly dug garden 6 weeks ago and spread area with mulch. They had beautiful big pink flowers for weeks but are now looking dry and brittle. The flowers have mostly shriveled up and leaves have turned brown. About 2 weeks ago I applied miracle gro shake and feed plus weed preventer as we started seeing small weeds coming through the mulch. Could this be killing the hydrangea plants? I've been diligent on watering worrying more about overwatering. They get morning sun and afternoon shade. It has been warm(80-90 degrees), but we have been watering. I also notice new leaf buds on the stems which is a good sign. Is the weed preventer the cause and will it kill my hydrangea....any way I can save it?
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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
While it is possible that insecticides and fungicides would affect the leaves, at this time the product only seems to affect myrtles.
If the leaves are shriveling, check for aphids and mites as these pests love to cause leaf trouble, especially new leaves.
I once had an ES that also had those symptoms... the leaves were browning out and so were the blooms. I planted it but had unknown problems with the sprinkler system so it did not the proper amount of water until too late. Almost killed a camellia too.
Give them about 1 gallon of water per watering. Start watering the soil early in the morning from the base outwards. And maintain them mulched with 3-4" thru the drip line. If the soil feels dry or almost when you insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4", you need to water.
Transplant shock also makes the plants more sensitive to heat stress so I try to make sure they get extra shade on Year 1 in some bright locations of my garden.
If the leaves are shriveling, check for aphids and mites as these pests love to cause leaf trouble, especially new leaves.
I once had an ES that also had those symptoms... the leaves were browning out and so were the blooms. I planted it but had unknown problems with the sprinkler system so it did not the proper amount of water until too late. Almost killed a camellia too.
Give them about 1 gallon of water per watering. Start watering the soil early in the morning from the base outwards. And maintain them mulched with 3-4" thru the drip line. If the soil feels dry or almost when you insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 4", you need to water.
Transplant shock also makes the plants more sensitive to heat stress so I try to make sure they get extra shade on Year 1 in some bright locations of my garden.