Pruning Old Wood on Hydrangea

[JPIXI]

1-I have Lacecap:Tokyo Delight. He is too old and with many old wood, that are weak and too long. Obviously, the previous owner had not taken much care of it, at least to prune it. How can I manage this old wood?

2-I intend to do some ground layering now to avoid loosing this beautiful plant if I did something wrong in pruning later. Is there any other ways I can assure my pruning before August of old wood will not kill the plant?

Thank you

[The Helpful Gardener]

Prune hard back to solid (not lanky) wood. Tha air layering is a good back-up to the hard pruning; I think you have answered your own question (and well, too )

HG

[JPIXI]

Thanks a lot for your help and confirmation. Really appreciate it, if my plant survive they got to thank you.

[The Helpful Gardener]

You were doing fine on your own; trust your instincts

Scott

[JPIXI]

I am trying to save these beautiful flowers. I feel a pain at my heart to see them pull out of the ground without trying to do something. They must be very old, it is a disrespect to history to treat them as block stone to remove them like that. Hope my naive thought and effort can make a difference in their fates.

[The Helpful Gardener]

My thoughts exactly. Even beyond that, plants are a direct connection to the earth and sun; they are what gives every living thing on this planet air, food and clean water (Before you all start harping about carnivores I am talking about the base level of EVERY food chain on this rock). We, in our hurried lives, give little thought to our slow moving plant friends, but they are living things we should give the SAME consideration as people or animals (not that we do a great job there either ). Nice to hear from someone who gives our green friends as much thought as I do...

Scott

[JPIXI]

Hi HG,

I have a good news to share with you. My hydrangeas has plenty of new shoots now.

I cut all the old wood away about a month ago, and ever since, I feed the plant with all my coffee grounds, eegshell, epson salt, orangic compose from kitchen without fail.

Now, the plant is strong and very happy. If you wish I could show you the result, just tell me how to upload the picture.

Thank you so so much HG!

(PS: I am growing earthworms now)

[opabinia51]

Glad to hear that you are growing earthworms. Welcome to the club. You will be amazed at how much material they can process in a short period of time. And the amazing compost that they will give you and your plants, your plants will thank you.

[The Helpful Gardener]

I've contemplated the vermiculture thing, but am still convincing the SO on composting, so baby steps...

HG