When Should Hydrangeas Be Fertilized In Louisiana?

In Louisiana, there are five types of hydrangeas that grow successfully, many of which are color changeable. Pruning and planting directions are essential for hydrangeas to thrive. Hydrangeas cannot survive frost or cold weather under 50 degrees. To ensure hydrangeas thrive, choose the right fertilizer and maintain a consistent schedule. Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the growing season, using balanced fertilizers or high phosphorus content for more blooms.

Hydrangea flowers will be blue or purple when grown in acidic soil (pH below 7) or pink or red in alkaline soil (pH about 7). Acidic soils with a pH of less than 5.5 produce blue flowers, so applying aluminum sulfate in January will give the blue to purple color.

Garden hydrangeas (Hydrangea macrophylla) have a long tradition of use in shady Louisiana gardens. They grow from late April through July and can be planted in late October or November when the weather cools. Place the container in partial to direct sunlight and keep the soil moist for two to four weeks until sprouts develop.

Limelight hydrangeas are a beautiful Louisiana Super Plant that can grow up to 6 to 8 feet tall and wide over time. An annual application of fertilizer in the early spring is the rule of thumb.

What is the best fertilizer for hydrangeas to bloom?

Organic, slow-release fertilizers for roses and hydrangeas are suitable for increasing the size and quantity of their blooms. Rose fertilizers, such as 15-10-10 or 10-5-5, provide the necessary nutrients for healthy growth, while hydrangeas require balanced fertilizers with a 10-10-10 ratio for healthy growth.

Growers often ask if they need to purchase different types of fertilizer for multiple hydrangea types. The answer is no, as the same type of fertilizer can be used for all types. However, adjustments may be needed if enhancing or changing the color of specific hydrangea blooms.

However, some types of fertilizer can cause harm, and Natalie Carmolli of Proven Winners® ColorChoice® Flowering Shrubs advises against using acidic fertilizers.

What is the best month to prune hydrangeas?

Hydrangeas are typically pruned in late winter or early spring, with climbing hydrangeas being pruned after flowering in summer. Hydrangeas bloom from mid- to late summer, while mophead and lacecap hydrangeas bloom satisfactorily with little attention. Annual pruning encourages new growth and better flowering display. Other species, including climbing hydrangeas, benefit from a trim. Timing is usually late winter/early spring, but sometimes late summer. Pruning hydrangeas can be easy to moderate.

What does baking soda do for hydrangeas?

Courtenay observed a notable enhancement in the growth of her hydrangeas within a week, with the most deteriorated specimen demonstrating an expansion of at least 50% during the initial few weeks. The buds are now larger, healthier, and more abundant than in previous years, and she is eagerly awaiting the appearance of the blooms in a few weeks.

Do hydrangeas like sun or no sun?

Hydrangeas, commonly known as hydrangeas, prefer partial sun locations, receiving sun in the morning and shade in the afternoon. The Endless Summer® Hydrangea series, such as BloomStruck®, Endless Summer®, Blushing Bride®, and Twist-n-Shout®, prefer part shade. Smooth hydrangeas like the Annabelle Hydrangea also require some shade from the afternoon sun. Bigleaf hydrangeas, also known as hydrangea macrophylla, prefer some shade, especially during the afternoon. For best flowering, big leaf hydrangeas like Nikko Blue and Glowing Embers should get some sun.

Planting hydrangeas in a spot with good drainage, morning sun, and afternoon shade is essential. Most hydrangeas bloom in spring and summer, and can reach heights of 15 feet or higher. They can be grown in pots to decorate patios, apartment balconies, or as a hedge or privacy screen.

Panicle hydrangeas like Fire Light®, Limelight, Pinky Winky®, Strawberry Sundae®, and Vanilla Strawberry® can thrive in full sun. The new reblooming dwarf series, Let’s Dance®, and dwarf big leaf series, Cityline®, grow best in full or part sun. Newer smooth hydrangea varieties, Incrediball®, and Invincibelle® Ruby, are also recommended for full or part sun.

When should hydrangeas be cut back?

Hydrangea paniculata, also known as panicle hydrangea, is a plant with conical-shaped flower heads that provide winter interest. It is best to prune back stems to just above a fat bud, called a heading cut, in fall, late winter, or spring. Quick Fire®, Limelight, and First Editions® Berry White® are plants that produce buds in late summer to early fall, so they should be pruned after they finish blooming and before August.

When can you put coffee grounds on hydrangeas?

To turn hydrangeas blue, start by adding coffee grounds to the soil months before the blooming season begins, ideally in late fall. Repeat this process with your regular fertilizing schedule. With patience and a little caffeine, your hydrangeas should reward your efforts with bold blue globes in spring. Blue hydrangeas grow best in the morning sun and partial afternoon shade, so plant them in a dappled, shady, east-facing position near your house.

Acidic soils, high in aluminum and manganese, can help hydrangeas turn blue, as they absorb these substances. Share your secret ingredient with the neighborhood and enjoy the beautiful blue hydrangeas they will be green with envy at first bloom.

What can I put on hydrangeas to make them bloom?

To achieve bigger 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. Deadheading is a process where spent flowers are removed from hydrangeas when they fade to make way for new, fuller blooms.

If planted in the right location and given ample space, the only trimming needed is to remove deadwood and dried blooms. Early removal may encourage a second flush of blooms, as hydrangeas that flower on new wood may sometimes flower again.

How do you care for hydrangeas in Louisiana?

Louisiana hydrangeas thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade, with most blooms flushing out with 2-4 hours of sunlight. Newer varieties like Limelight and Limelight Prime are exceptions, but blues, lilacs, and purples still require shade. Hydrangea varieties often die from excessive watering, which should be achieved through thorough watering and heavy mulch. Watering alone may cause root rot, and hydrangeas’ dramatic visual cues can lead to fungus, especially on compact varieties. To ensure healthy hydrangeas, it is essential to avoid overwatering and avoid relying solely on water during the summer.

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.

How to keep hydrangeas blooming?

To maximize the number of bright hydrangea flowers in your garden, ensure your plants receive the right amount of sunlight and soil, use a fertilizer designed to increase bloom quantity, and follow a pruning and deadheading routine. Experts like Venelin Dimitrov, Amy Enfield, and David Becker recommend the following tips:

1. Provide the right amount of water: Properly water your hydrangeas several times per week to encourage deep root growth and keep the leaves and flowers dry. Apply water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves and flowers dry, and water in the morning to reduce wilting during the heat of the day.

Why do you soak hydrangeas in water?

The author emphasizes the importance of submerging hydrangea heads in water for 20-30 minutes to wash off dirt, rehydrate flowers, and fluff up blooms, especially those from South America. After soaking, the stems are given a fresh cut, removing 1-2 inches of stem and placing them in a bucket with fresh water. The author does not use floral food with their flowers and leaves the buckets of hydrangeas out until the blooms are completely dried off. Once dry, they are placed in a cooler to harden off overnight.

The next day, the hydrangeas are in great shape for use in designs, with firm blooms that are noticeable after this treatment. The author emphasizes the importance of using fresh water and not using floral food with their flowers.