How do I make my hydrangeas thicker?

A young Hydrangea should be pruned or pinched off to help encourage full growth. Wherever you cut or pinch off one growing tip, two stems will grow back. This is how you expand the base of the plant with support for those big, lush blooms.

How can I thicken my hydrangeas?

Cut hydrangea that bloom on new wood back to 12 to 24 inches tall rather than to the ground. This allows the branches a chance to thicken. New growth leafs out from this point and has a stronger base to support it.

How do I increase hydrangea bloom size?

To increase blooms, plant the hydrangea in an area of morning sun with shade in the afternoon, ensure the soil is consistently moist and apply a well-balanced fertilizer in Spring. Hydrangeas bloom on last year's growth, so avoid pruning your hydrangea too often, to encourage more flowers.

Why are my hydrangeas laying on the ground?

When hydrangeas are drooping, they're often expressing their dislike of local conditions. Too much sun and not enough water lead to wilt; heavy flower loads can cause tender branches to bend until they touch the ground. Even an extra dose of fertilizer may contribute to droopy hydrangea plants.

Why are my hydrangeas flat?

Hydrangeas may fall over after heavy rains, during excessive bloom production, or if there are heavy winds. Likewise, some hydrangeas simply have softer stems, so they're more likely to flop over compared to other hydrangeas.

How to Get More Blooms From Your Hydrangea

What is the best fertilizer for hydrangeas to bloom?

A good all purpose 12-4-8 or 10-10-10 composition will provide all the fertilizing hydrangeas need. Either a chemical source or organic matter can be used successfully. Applying a once a year slow-release chemical formulated for shrubs and trees is the simplest solution to hydrangea care and feeding.

What to feed hydrangeas to make them bloom?

Hydrangeas will benefit from an all-purpose, balanced fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10 N-P-K, that contains equal amounts of each nutrient. A balanced fertilizer will encourage healthy foliage as well as bountiful blooms.

What is a natural fertilizer for hydrangeas?

Plants need phosphorus for flower growth, as well as magnesium and other trace minerals, such as iron or calcium. Animal manure is a good, balanced fertilizer for hydrangeas, and household compost is also a good addition to the soil under the plant.

How much Epsom salt do you put on hydrangeas?

The Epsom Salt Council (www.epsomsaltcouncil.org) recommends one tablespoon per nine square feet, applied to the root zone of the shrubs at two- to four-week intervals.

How long does it take for a hydrangea to grow full size?

Though they are fast growing shrubs, it can take 2-4 years for hydrangeas to reach their full size. Some are faster to mature than others.

When should you pinch a hydrangea?

How to Pinch a Hydrangea. If the plant is leggy when you purchase it, shear it back hard by one-third to one-half its original size. Once it puts on an inch or two of growth, pinch the branch tips to remove just the growing tip. This tip controls branching.

Do hydrangeas like Epsom salts?

The short answer is yes it will – Epsom Salts is Magnesium sulfate and Sulfur is the mineral that we apply to the soil to lower the pH. You will also be applying Magnesium which should help enhance the color of your foliage since Magnesium is needed for chlorophyll production.

What is a fast release fertilizer for hydrangeas?

Miracle-Gro For Acid Loving Plants 30-30-10

This water-soluble plant food fertilizer from Miracle-Gro is a fast-acting granular feed that will work instantly on all acid-loving plants including hydrangeas.

Should I deadhead hydrangeas?

You should deadhead throughout the blooming season to keep your hydrangeas looking their beast and encourage new flower growth. However, stop deadheading hydrangea shrubs in mid to late fall, leaving any spent blooms in place.

Should I cut off Brown hydrangea blooms?

"Stop deadheading in the fall, when bigleaf hydrangeas produce their last flush of flowers, to enjoy the dried blooms throughout the winter," she says. "These can be removed to help produce healthy buds in the spring."

How often should I fertilize my hydrangea?

Generally, you should fertilize your hydrangeas in Spring just when it begins to leaf out to give it an early-season boost. Fertilize them a second time during the growing season of July. The fast-release fertilizers require application twice in summer.

Is coffee grounds good for hydrangeas?

Coffee grounds add extra acidity to the soil around hydrangeas. On a chemical level, this increased acidity makes it easier for the plant to absorb naturally occurring aluminum in the dirt. The effect is pretty blue clusters of flowers.

Are tea leaves good for hydrangeas?

You could try this watering plants with tea hack on plants that are happiest in slightly acidic soil – like poinsettia, hydrangeas, spider plants and rubber plants. But stick to standard plant food for plants that prefer alkaline conditions.

How do you keep hydrangeas healthy?

How do I know if my hydrangea is overwatered?

An overwatered Hydrangea will have yellowing leaves that may fall off prematurely. It will also produce fewer buds and its blooms will be misshapen. And in severe cases of overwatering a Hydrangea will have brown, wilted leaves.

Can hydrangeas get too much sun?

Too much sun exposure can cause your hydrangea shrubs to burn on its leaves and blooms. Also, be sure to put your fingers in the soil to see if it needs watering. We do recommend a soak versus light watering each day, but you should be sure that the soil is always moist – not wet – by sticking your fingers in the dirt.

Can you overwater a hydrangea?

Hydrangeas can be overwatered, and they do not want to be in soil that is too wet. Hydrangeas require moist soil, but if the soil is too wet, the plant may suffer from root rot. Overwatering a Hydrangea can also stunt its growth, slow down its production of blooms, and eventually lead to its death.