Soaker hoses can be the best method to keep the moisture from the leaves and flowers. These methods are great when you want more efficient water delivery at the very base of the plant without needing to get the entire foliage wet. Lay the hose around the plant, leave it on for about 30 to 45 minutes and wait until the soil is moist but not too wet. Hook your regular hose to this, and cover with mulch. Others may use drip feeders to retain moisture throughout the day. When planted in pots, you need to water the Bigleaf hydrangea using a watering can. Wait until you see that the water is dripping down the pots at the bottom part. The portable cans can help you reach the soil and let the water penetrate the roots deeply so they can grow better.

If you overwatered Bigleaf hydrangea, you might want to take a few steps back and prevent further damage. Bigleaf hydrangea is hardy, so they have a higher chance of surviving. Give the plant a chance to dry everything out and stop watering it. The plants don’t tolerate their roots sitting in water for longer, so aerating can help. Some of the symptoms of an overwatered plant will be premature falling of yellow leaves. You might also see fewer flowers and misshapen buds. In more serious cases, this can result in wilted and brown leaves. Long-term overwatering can result in root rot. The symptoms of underwatering can be similar. Wilting Bigleaf hydrangea can be a sign of underwatering. Feel the earth by sticking your finger into the soil, and if it’s too dry, then this is a sign of dehydration. Too little watering can also happen, so you might want to add some in the evening. Always check the soil for dryness and follow the regular schedule of watering in the morning.

It’s best to water the Bigleaf hydrangea deeply two to three times a week. And you should water it more often if you live in a hot climate. Its water needs are average, and it needs moist but well-drained soil. A good rule of thumb is to get a feel of the soil. It might be the right time to water your plant if you notice that it’s about 2-4 inches dry. Water it 1-2x a week if it’s planted outdoors. Know that it’s getting more moisture outside, watering less with the help of rainwater is ideal.

The amount of water needed can vary. There are a lot of factors to consider, such as the weather in the area, the amount of shade, and the species. The Bigleaf hydrangea you’ve just recently planted will need more water than the established ones. A can of water each week can be ample for Bigleaf hydrangea, especially if they are in the growing season and when they are grown in pots. When outdoors, you need to measure the amount of rain they are receiving with the help of moisture meters. When the soil is dry, water them thoroughly with a sprinkler. It’s best to water less often but thoroughly with the Bigleaf hydrangea to ensure they are getting the adequate moisture they need.

Regardless of the types of the plant that you’re growing, it’s important to know its watering needs so that they will grow well. Bigleaf hydrangea needs a lot of water and can quickly wilt without the right moisture. They require moist soil but make sure that the ground is well-drained. Bigleaf hydrangea doesn’t want wet feet since they tend to get root rot. Overwatering can also lead to slow production of flowers and stunted growth, which can also be a problem seen with underwatering.

It's best to water the Bigleaf hydrangea in the early morning to prevent it from wilting. It may be unable to handle the heat and can show signs of wilting in the afternoon. Make sure to apply a thick layer of mulch to keep the soil cool and retain moisture. Once it feels the coolness of the evening, it will go back to its usual glow. Always water deeply and be consistent with the moisture. However, remember that it’s better to experience a slight wilting in the afternoon than to over-water them.

When watering during the summer, it’s important to take the environment into consideration. These plants enjoy the early morning sun but not much of the midday glare since they can dry out too quickly. It’s best to start planting these species in spring or autumn. Provide ample water, especially when you notice that the soil is dry during the summer. Don’t water the plants during the winter as they will enter a period of dormancy. Fill the pot up to the rim, let the water soak, and run out of the drainage hole. Always water when the soil feels dry and if you have windy and hot weather. The plant supports a lot of big blooms, and they need ample water to maintain them.

During the growing season, it’s best to water this at a rate of 1 inch when it’s just growing. This should be done 3x per week. When growing in pots, you need to have one with a diameter of at least 18 inches. A non-porous one can help hold consistent levels of moisture. An established plant does not need watering as much as one in the early phase of growth. They can be watered twice a week but always check the soil to be sure. Just make sure that there will be no waterlogging that occurs. The plants might experience transplant shock when they are just newly planted. Just water until the depth of the moisture reaches out to 10 inches beneath the surface. Help the roots become more established during the dry, hot weather by checking the soil frequently.

Overall, the Bigleaf hydrangea loves water and should be provided with enough to keep it hydrated. Be careful not to overwater and never use cold water with them during the winter. They enter a dormancy period and they barely need water to survive. In the spring, planting should be done where they will be given enough time to grow. Water more when they are young and make sure to give them enough mulch to keep the soil moist. During the summer, just make sure that the soil is moist. Overwatering can result in a lack of blooms, but a heavy soaking can be done once a day whenever the soil needs this. For 3x a week, ensure water in the early mornings or afternoons. The ones on the balcony or gardens should be watered generously during the summer months. This is because the water can evaporate quickly.

The Bigleaf hydrangea that is grown outdoors doesn’t generally need a lot of water compared to the one grown indoors. This species absorbs the water quickly, so watering can be done twice a week. When you grow Bigleaf hydrangea in partial shades, you generally encourage moisture retention and prevent the drying winds from wilting them. It’s best to keep the water away from the flowers as this can lead to gray mold. The Bigleaf hydrangeaed indoors can be watered at least 2x a week or more when they are just in the growing phase to help the roots become more established.

Bigleaf hydrangea is grown for its attractive flowers. While not strictly necessary, many people prefer to prune this plant every year or two to encourage flowering and to maintain an attractive appearance. Bigleaf hydrangea is also typically cut back to keep the plant at a manageable size. Without proper maintenance, Bigleaf hydrangea may grow rapidly and uncontrollably, crowding out other plants. if left to grow untended. When it is allowed to get too tall, Bigleaf hydrangea can become top-heavy and the weight can cause some stems to fall over at the height of the growing season.

You should not prune your Bigleaf hydrangea at all for the first couple of years after planting it, until it become well established, except to remove dead or damaged stems. Once it is mature, you may choose to cut it back annually depending on the type of growth you like. Flower buds are formed on the new growth produced each spring, sometimes called “new wood.” To ensure that there is plenty of new wood each season, many gardeners choose to do a hard pruning around the end of winter to early spring. Many people also like to deadhead (pruning off dead flowers) throughout the summer and into autumn as flowers die off. That is a right action because it keeps the plant looking tidy and also allows it to divert all its energy into other parts that are still actively growing.

There are a couple of options for pruning Bigleaf hydrangea, depending on the size of shrub and the type of flower you prefer to grow. For a more compact plant with larger but fewer blooms, the whole plant can be cut back prior to the growing season. If you prefer to allow the plant to get larger, with smaller but more numerous flowers, you can choose to prune some stems while keeping others intact. For Bigleaf hydrangea, the best type of tool to use is a set of bypass pruners. Invest in a quality pair of shears that will be sharp enough to cut cleanly through the stems. Disinfect your cutting tool before pruning and when moving between plants to keep it from transferring diseases between plants. Either a bleach solution diluted to 10% or 70% isopropyl alcohol are readily- available options to use for disinfecting tools. Hard pruning involves cutting all stems of the Bigleaf hydrangea back prior to the growing season. Up to two thirds of the original length can be cut off. Especially weak or unhealthy looking stems can be cut at the soil line. This method produces the largest blooms. A less extreme pruning lets the plant continue to grow bigger, but improves vigor by removing just the oldest stems from your Bigleaf hydrangea. Removing the tallest stems also keeps the plant at a reasonable size. You can also remove any stems that are growing sideways or otherwise detracting from the overall shape of the plant. This pruning method lets the plant produce the maximum number of flowers over the growing season. Finally, you may prefer to just trim off dead or damaged portions of the plant, including deadheading spent flowers, to keep it looking its best. This can be done at any time of year. Diseased or damaged stems should be cut right at the soil line and removed completely. Blooms should be cut off just below the flower head.

New growth is not as thick and strong as older growth, so it can be more likely to flop over when flowers are too heavy. Leaving behind some of the old stems can serve to support the weaker stems and prevent this problem. As you are pruning your Bigleaf hydrangea, step back occasionally to check the appearance of the plant to make sure it has the shape you want and that you are pruning it symmetrically.

Bigleaf hydrangea requires about 3-6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. However, it also needs some shade during the hottest parts of the day to prevent sun damage. Morning sunlight is ideal for Bigleaf hydrangea, but it can also tolerate some afternoon sun if the temperature is not too hot. To provide the perfect balance of sunlight, try planting Bigleaf hydrangea in an area that gets partial sun, such as under a tree or on the east side of a building.

If Bigleaf hydrangea is exposed to too much direct sunlight, its leaves may turn yellow, dry out, or even burn. You may also notice that the plant wilts or becomes stunted. To prevent sun damage, make sure to give Bigleaf hydrangea some shade during the hottest parts of the day. You can use a shade cloth or plant Bigleaf hydrangea near taller plants that can provide some natural shade.

If Bigleaf hydrangea doesn't get enough sunlight, it may grow tall and lanky, with sparse foliage. The leaves may also turn yellow or pale green, indicating that the plant is not producing enough chlorophyll due to lack of sunlight. To remedy this, try moving Bigleaf hydrangea to a sunnier spot, or prune nearby foliage to allow more light to reach the plant.

The best temperature for Bigleaf hydrangea to thrive is 65~80℉(18~27℃). During the primary growing phase, the highest temperature tolerable would be 95℉(35℃), while the lowest tolerable temperature would be 15℉(-10℃). This species is tolerant of low temperatures and will survive freezing winters. The perfect, highest, and lowest temperature range: Perfect：65~80℉(18~27℃) Highest：85~95℉(30~35℃) Lowest：-5~15℉(-20~-10℃) or below

Research shows that Bigleaf hydrangea will begin to exhibit signs of stunted growth during prolonged periods of higher temperatures, especially during the development of axillary buds and the growth of main shoots. Keeping the temperatures consistent and cooler, around 65℉(18℃), will encourage vigorous growth after germination or transplanting.

Bigleaf hydrangea can withstand freezing temperatures when planted in the ground in areas that don’t get below of 15℉(-10℃) as an extreme temperature during the winter months. But if planted in pots or containers, then their roots must be protected from the winter cold. Do this by wrapping the container in a blanket or bringing it inside where it will be fully protected from the elements.

Greater harm will come to Bigleaf hydrangea if the temperature is consistently too high versus too low. If Bigleaf hydrangea gets too hot, seed germination and photosynthesis efficiency is lessened due to hormone triggers caused by heat stress. The plant will show signs through wilting, leaf browning, and potentially death. If Bigleaf hydrangea gets too cold, plant functions such as nutrient uptake and photosynthesis will cease, resulting in the possible death of the plant. If a single freezing event occurs during the growing season, then a membrane phase transition might occur, which can cause a cease in plant functions and death of the plant.

Keeping the soil temperature consistent is one of the most important strategies to keeping Bigleaf hydrangea healthy, which leads to successful budding, flowering, and new growth. Do this by consistently watering, adding mulch to bare soil, and planting in the shade.

Due to the cold tolerance of Bigleaf hydrangea, heating pads will not be necessary if planted outside in the ground. If the plant is in an outdoor pot, then bring it inside a heated house and place it in a sunny window during the winter months.

To ensure adequate temperature conditions are present, plant Bigleaf hydrangea in an area with partial shade. If possible, use afternoon shade to provide the best protection during the hottest part of the day. This will also result in lower temperatures in the soil due to increased moisture retention. If Bigleaf hydrangea is planted indoors, then keep the container away from windows and out of direct sunlight during the summer months to prevent the soil temperature from spiking daily.

During the summer or times of high heat, give Bigleaf hydrangea extra shade and water to help cool its leaves, roots, and soil. During cold snaps or growing season freezes, cover sensitive budding vegetation with frost cloth or water using sprinkler systems. If it’s only nearing freezing temperatures for a short period, then water during the day several hours before the freeze. If the temperature is predicted to remain below freezing for an extended period, then keep the sprinkler running until the temperature rises above freezing the following day.

Bigleaf hydrangea is a mid-temperature plant that can easily tolerate the typical fluctuations of the seasons and remain a hardy species when planted in maintained landscapes areas, containers, or indoors. Therefore, adjusting the temperature during the different seasons is unnecessary for primary growth. If flowering is stunted or impeded, then allowing the plant to experience a season of winter freeze could help to revive flowering.

If it becomes too difficult to lower the temperature for an indoor plant during the summer, then plant it outside in the ground or in a container. Make sure to plant Bigleaf hydrangea in a shaded location and water often to keep the soil moist.

It's important to fertilize Bigleaf hydrangea at least each year to encourage a fruitful blooming season. The nutrients from the fertilizer help to provide the energy that the plant needs in order to put on new growth and buds at the start of the growing season, and support the plant throughout the entire growing season until it goes back into dormancy. Fertilizing also gives Bigleaf hydrangea the strength and ability to fight off common pests and diseases.

If your Bigleaf hydrangea is a blue cultivar, you'll only need to fertilize once per year just before the growing season with a fertilizer that's curated for plants that thrive in acidic soil. Other Bigleaf hydrangea cultivars can be fertilized once per year during the growing season, but with an all-purpose fertilizer with balanced nutrient ratios. You can also use fertilizers formulated for blooming plants or shrubs, like roses and peonies. These fertilizers are pre-mixed with the best nutrients for Bigleaf hydrangea.

Fertilizing Bigleaf hydrangea anytime during its dormant season is not advised. The primary reason for this is that it's simply not useful to the plant during this time. When Bigleaf hydrangea is dormant, it is focused on conserving the energy it's provided by the sun each day, as well as maintaining an active root system. Fertilizing during dormancy could not only cause soil acidity issues, but it could also spike a growth spurt during colder months, which could cause long-term damage.

To promote flowering, you need to adjust your fertilization strategy in late spring by using some fertilizers with higher phosphorus content. For blue Bigleaf hydrangea cultivars, use a fertilizer with a nutrient ratio of 8-4-8 or something similar that has a lower phosphorus content. Other Bigleaf hydrangea cultivars can be fertilized with any type of all-purpose fertilizer with a balanced nutrient ratio, such as 10-10-10. To lower the pH and make the soil more acidic for blue coloration, add small amounts of either an aluminum sulphate fertilizer or wettable sulphur to the soil and mix in well. High pH soil will turn blue flowers pink or red. To raise the pH, apply a liberal amount of limestone to the soil and mix it in well. Too much of either type of compound can injure your Bigleaf hydrangea, so it's better to add too little than too much.

Fertilizing is a simple process that you may already be familiar with. To add fertilizer to the soil, simply sprinkle it around the base of the plant in about a two-foot radius of the main trunk, or wider if the foliage is on the wider side itself. Then, use a trowel or small hand rake to work the fertilizer into the top two to four inches of soil. Water the fertilizer in well, making sure to settle the topsoil back into place. Thorough watering for the following week may be helpful to diffuse the fertilizer into the soil, decreasing the chances of burning.

Over-fertilizing is common with Bigleaf hydrangea, ecpecially for those inexperienced in growing them. Signs of too much fertilizer include yellowing of the leaves, poor growth habits, and thinning (leaf drop). If you used a granulated or powder fertilizer, you can remove the top layer of soil and replace it with fertilizer-free soil to help remove some of the fertilizer. For liquid-based fertilizers, water thoroughly every day until a normal color has returned to the leaves. They should be a rich, deep green.