Ways To Enlarge Hydrangea Flowers?

In this article, Michelle’s Home and Garde explores eight ways to increase the number of hydrangea flowers blooming on your shrubs this year. The key to hydrangea flower growth is the right amount of water, light, and fertilizer. Proper watering, soil pH adjustments, pruning methods, fertilization, and coffee use are essential for hydrangeas to thrive.

Planting hydrangeas in partial shade is crucial for longer and more vibrant blooms. Hydrangeas can be picky plants, making perfect blooms a never-ending challenge. To ensure better blooms, choose the right plant for your zone, including temperatures, soil conditions, watering, and sunlight. Plant bigleaf hydrangeas in half-day sun in average soil, full sun in areas with cool summers and consistently moist soil. Water them well, and avoid too much shade and too much nitrogen.

Add banana water to your hydrangeas to help with growth and amount of blooms. It is also recommended to get the largest size hydrangeas. Cut them back hard by taking every branch down to just a few inches above the soil. Apply a powder form of lime to the base of the plant in April and again in October to raise the pH of the soil.

Use a slow-release fertilizer with a higher phosphorus content to promote flowering. Hydrangeas prefer fertile, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic pH. Fertilizer is the answer to growing “amazing” and “bigger” blooms.

How to make a hydrangea flower bigger?

To achieve larger hydrangea blooms, use a “bloom booster” fertilizer with a high level of phosphate, like osmocote. However, too much fertilizer can hinder blooms. Additional plant food can be used throughout the growing season, but too much nitrogen in spring may reduce flowering. Deadhead after flowers fade to make way for new, fuller blooms, known as deadheading. If plants are planted in the right location and given ample space, the only trimming needed is to remove deadwood and dried blooms.

How often should I put coffee grounds on hydrangeas?

To change the color of hydrangeas, start by adding coffee grounds to the soil around them in late fall. Work the grounds into the soil to eliminate any off-putting smell and do this two to three times per year. It will take time to turn hydrangeas blue, especially for new baby hydrangeas that may not bloom for a couple of years. Start adding coffee grounds months before the blooming season begins, ideally in late fall. Repeat the process with your regular fertilizing schedule. With a little caffeine and patience, your hydrangeas should reward your efforts with bold blue globes in the spring.

How to get bigger heads on hydrangeas?

Cathrine recommends rigorous pruning as a means of enhancing the blooming and flower head growth of hydrangeas. This typically yields a pruned framework measuring 25 cm (10 in) in height. However, should greater height be desired, the framework may be cut to a height of 60 cm (2 ft). Barbara Stalkerr proposes the implementation of rigorous pruning in August, citing her own experience with the same issue and the subsequent emergence of new shoots in the spring following the application of a light pruning technique.

Do coffee grounds help hydrangeas bloom?

Hydrangeas’ color is influenced by the acidity of their soil. The more acidic the soil, the more blue the blooms. To achieve the best blue hydrangea blooms, add coffee grounds to the soil. The pH level of the soil is crucial for hydrangeas to bloom. Higher acidity results in bluer blooms, while more alkaline soil produces pinkish flowers. Some hydrangea names, like Nikko Blue and Nantucket Blue, are influenced by their soil’s pH level. French hydrangeas are known for their globe-like blooms, which can be manipulated to suit color preferences.

To ensure blue blooms, ensure the soil is acidic. Fertilizers can help, but leftover coffee grounds can be just as effective and cost-effective. French hydrangeas are prized for their globe-like blooms, which can be manipulated to suit individual preferences.

How do you plump hydrangeas?

To revive wilted hydrangeas, boil them in boiling water and remove the stems. Cut the stems at a 45-degree angle, make a vertical slit in the incision, and hold the stem upright in the boiling water for 60 seconds. Place the hydrangeas back in the floral arrangement and they should revive within an hour. For your next bouquet, avoid cutting hydrangea flowers too young, as they still have moisture in the petals. Wait until the flowers have a papery or “leathery” feel, and your hydrangea blooms will last longer in your bouquet. For more tips on arranging flowers, check out our pro tips for arranging flowers.

What is the best bloom booster for hydrangeas?

To maintain a healthy bloom cycle, it’s crucial to feed Hydrangea with slow-release, granular fertilizers like Plant-tone® + Iron-tone® or Holly-tone® + Iron-tone® in spring and midsummer. For a bloom boost, apply Triple Phosphate as per package instructions. Proper care, including sunlight, pruning, winter protection, and fertilizing, is essential for hydrangeas to bloom their best. For further questions, visit any of the 9 Petitti locations to consult gardening experts.

Are egg shells good for hydrangeas?

Egg shells can be used as a natural fertilizer for vegetables, roses, hydrangeas, spider plants, ferns, and ivy. They can be crushed and sprinkled over containers or garden borders during winter months, or added directly into planting holes. This homemade fertiliser is beneficial for growing vegetables like tomato, pepper, aubergine, roses, hydrangeas, spider plants, ferns, and ivy. A calcium solution can be made by finely crushing egg shells, transforming them into water-soluble calcium that can be easily absorbed by the plant’s root system.

Egg shells can also serve as a pest deterrent, acting as shards of glass around plants where critters gather. They are also believed to deter cabbage white butterflies and cats from using garden beds as litter trays. Overall, egg shells offer a versatile and effective solution for maintaining healthy and thriving plants.

Why are my hydrangea heads so small?

Hydrangea plants require regular watering to thrive. A healthy watering session should be done once or twice a week, ensuring deep watering into the roots. Avoid overwatering the plants and ensure the soil is thoroughly wet but not overflowing. Check the soil at least four inches deep by sticking your fingers into it. If the soil is dry, the hydrangea needs more water. A plentiful amount of water will help flowers bloom to their full capacity.

It’s also important to consider weather conditions, such as hot weather or rain, when watering. By checking the moisture in the soil with your finger, you can ensure the plants receive the necessary amount of water to ensure optimal flower growth.

Does cutting hydrangea blooms encourage more blooms?

Deadhead hydrangeas throughout the blooming season to maintain their beauty and encourage new growth. Stop deadheading in mid to late fall, leaving spent blooms in place for winter interest and preventing removal of buds for next spring. Protect hydrangeas after blooming season by overwintering them in freezing temperatures with a 12-inch layer of mulch or bringing them into the garage or basement for winter months and lightly watering. This will help prevent removal of buds that will become flowers next spring.

Why are my hydrangeas so big but not blooming?

Hydrangeas may not be blooming as much as they once did due to various factors such as extreme heat, drought, or excessive sun exposure. Pruning is also crucial. However, many common issues that prevent hydrangeas from flowering can be addressed with simple fixes. Justin Hancock, director of R and D and horticultural content at Costa Farms, offers advice on how to address these issues and ensure your hydrangeas continue to produce their beautiful blooms.

What makes hydrangeas happy?

Hydrangea plants flourish in soil with adequate drainage, yet they exhibit a preference for soil with a high moisture content. Three distinct hydrangea varieties, namely H. arborescens, H. macrophylla, and H. paniculata, have been observed to flourish in our region. However, the blue hydrangea, H. macrophylla, is frequently the subject of criticism due to its reputation for exhibiting finicky growth and blooming characteristics. However, in the current year, specimens of the blue hydrangea have exhibited robust growth in the face of elevated temperatures and humidity.