


























Care Guide for Bigleaf hydrangea




























Questions About Bigleaf hydrangea








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.

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.

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.

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.


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.


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 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.


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.


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 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.





More Questions People Also Ask

Common Pests & Diseases
























- At first, flowers may look a little limp.
- Petals may start to appear dried out and turn brown.
- Eventually they may drop off the plant all together.


- Check the soil or potting medium. Coarse textures can allow water to drain too rapidly, preventing the plant from taking up enough. If the soil and roots seem very dry, add sphagnum moss or other mediums that hold water.
- Water according to recommendations for each plant's species.
- Low humidity can be corrected by misting the plant regularly or placing it near a humidifier. Keeping it near other plants helps, too.
- Keep the environment consistent in terms of temperature, humidity, and lighting. Keep it away from vents, heaters, and air conditioners, and avoid moving it to locations where it will experience a temperature shock. Hot, dry heat, and cold drafts are problematic for many plants.
- Especially if the plant is outside, it could be experiencing heat or light stress. Try moving it to a shadier location.

- Read up on moisture, light, and soil type preferences for each plant to avoid underwatering, incorrect light levels, or other conditions that can cause wilting blooms.
- Avoid re-potting during the flowering period. This causes additional stress on the plants because they need to repair root damage and adapt to the new micro-environment, all of which can result in wilting.
- One other potential cause is ethylene gas, a plant hormone related to ripening. Some fruits and vegetables emit ethylene, especially bananas. Apples, grapes, melons, avocados, and potatoes can also give it off, so keep flowering plants away from fresh produce.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.




- Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
- Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
- May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
- Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
- Leaf margins may turn yellow.
- Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
- Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
- The leaf falls off the plant.
- Partial or complete premature defoliation
- Reduced growth
- Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases


- Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear.
- Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread.
- Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.

- Clear fall leaves from the ground before winter to minimize places where fungi and bacteria can overwinter.
- Maintain good air movement between plants through proper plant spacing.
- Increase air circulation through the center of plants through pruning.
- Thoroughly clean all pruning tools after working with diseased plants.
- Never dispose of disease plant material in a compost pile.
- Avoid overhead watering to keep moisture off of the foliage.
- Keep plants healthy by providing adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.





- Remove beetles, nymphs, and eggs. Remove all life stages of the beetles and kill them by placing them in a bucket of warm, soapy water. This can be done more easily by placing the bucket under affected leaves and shaking the plant. This method is most effective in the afternoon when leaf beetles are more active. Always dispose of insects in a sealed bag or container to avoid escape and spread.
- Apply organic insecticides. Use naturally-derived insecticides before moving on to synthetic insecticides. Neem oil and pyrethrum are naturally-derived insecticides that should be applied following label instructions.
- Apply synthetic insecticides. Examples of insecticides effective for leaf beetles include carbaryl, permethrin, and bifenthrin. Apply insecticides according to label instructions.

- Regularly check for beetles. To prevent large pest infestations, be proactive about frequently checking plants for pests and removing them quickly.
- Clear debris. Clear weeds and debris to remove areas where these beetles may overwinter and hide.
- Attract natural predators. Birds and other insects, such as wasps and ladybugs, are effective natural predators of leaf beetles. Encourage them to visit by including a diverse array of plants to provide habitat and food. Also, avoid applying broad-spectrum herbicides that can harm and kill beneficial insects.
- Plant aromatic herbs like mint, garlic, or rosemary, as these can repel leaf beetles.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.





- Apply insecticide. For an organic solution, spray plants with a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which specifically affects the larval stage of moths and butterflies. Be sure to coat plants, since caterpillars need to ingest Bt for it to be effective. This will not harm other insects.
- Spray a chili extract. Chili seeds can be cooked in water to make a spicy spray that caterpillars don't like. Spray this mixture on the plants, but be aware it will also be spicy to humans.
- Introduce beneficial insects. Release beneficial insects to the garden that eat caterpillars, such as parasitic wasps.
- Hand pick. Using gloves, pick off caterpillars on plants and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water.
- Dust plants with diatomaceous earth. This powder is harmless to humans but irritates caterpillars. Therefore, it will make it difficult for caterpillars to move and eat.

- Monitor plants. Check plants regularly for caterpillar eggs on leaves. If they do not belong to an endangered species, they should be squished.
- Use insect netting. Cover plants with insect netting to prevent butterflies and moths from laying eggs on plants.
- Apply diatomaceous earth. Apply DE to plants early in the season and reapply after rain.
- Encourage plant diversity. This will attract predatory insects including parasitic wasps.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.




- Wilted, droopy flowers
- Petals and leaves begin to wrinkle
- Brown papery streaks or spots appear on the petals and leaf tips
- Flowerhead shrink in size
- Petal color fades
- Yellowing leaves
- Complete death of the flower



- Water plants according to their needs -- either keep the soil slightly moist or allow the top inch or two to dry out before watering again.
- Fertilize lightly on a consistent basis, depending upon the plant’s growth. Quick-growing plants and those that flower or develop fruit will need more frequent fertilizing than slow-growing plants.
- Purchase plants that are certified disease- or pathogen-free.
- Look for disease-resistant cultivars.
- Isolate plants showing disease symptoms to prevent the spread to neighboring plants.
- Practice good plant hygiene by removing any fallen plant material as soon as possible.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.




- Pallid spots on colored petals.
- Brown spots on white petals.
- Browning around the petal edges.
- Small spots look water-soaked.
- Spots rapidly enlarge and merge.
- Flowers become limp.
- The entire flower turns light brown, but does not crumble.
- Flowers become slimy at first and then take on a leathery texture.
- A ring of white or gray mycelium can be seen at the base of the petals.



- Apply a preventative dose of fungicide as soon as blooms start to show color on the plant. The preventative can be applied as a soil drench or directly to the flowers on the plant.
- Avoid overhead watering during blooming.
- Remove any leaf litter and dead flowers at the end of the season.
- Cover the ground under infected plants with 4” of fresh organic mulch before winter, taking care not to disturb the infected soil.
- Buy bare-root specimens when available.
- When potted plants are purchased, remove the top layer of potting soil and replace it with fresh mulch.
- Plant cultivars that bloom early in the season before the temperatures get high enough for petal blight pathogens to be spreading.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.

Distribution Map
Habitat



More Info




Name story
Symbolism
Usages
Scientific Classification

Related Plants








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Care Guide for Bigleaf hydrangea



















Questions About Bigleaf hydrangea


















Common Pests & Diseases






























- At first, flowers may look a little limp.
- Petals may start to appear dried out and turn brown.
- Eventually they may drop off the plant all together.


- Check the soil or potting medium. Coarse textures can allow water to drain too rapidly, preventing the plant from taking up enough. If the soil and roots seem very dry, add sphagnum moss or other mediums that hold water.
- Water according to recommendations for each plant's species.
- Low humidity can be corrected by misting the plant regularly or placing it near a humidifier. Keeping it near other plants helps, too.
- Keep the environment consistent in terms of temperature, humidity, and lighting. Keep it away from vents, heaters, and air conditioners, and avoid moving it to locations where it will experience a temperature shock. Hot, dry heat, and cold drafts are problematic for many plants.
- Especially if the plant is outside, it could be experiencing heat or light stress. Try moving it to a shadier location.

- Read up on moisture, light, and soil type preferences for each plant to avoid underwatering, incorrect light levels, or other conditions that can cause wilting blooms.
- Avoid re-potting during the flowering period. This causes additional stress on the plants because they need to repair root damage and adapt to the new micro-environment, all of which can result in wilting.
- One other potential cause is ethylene gas, a plant hormone related to ripening. Some fruits and vegetables emit ethylene, especially bananas. Apples, grapes, melons, avocados, and potatoes can also give it off, so keep flowering plants away from fresh produce.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.





- Sporulation begins (reproduction of the fungal spores), and tiny spots appear on leaves.
- Placement is often random and scattered as diseases are spread through raindrops.
- May appear on lower leaves and the interior of the plant where humidity is higher.
- Brown spots enlarge and grow large enough to touch neighboring spots to form a more prominent blotch.
- Leaf margins may turn yellow.
- Tiny black dots (fruiting bodies of the fungi) appear in the dead spots.
- Blotches grow in size until the entire leaf is brown.
- The leaf falls off the plant.
- Partial or complete premature defoliation
- Reduced growth
- Increased susceptibility to pests and other diseases


- Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear.
- Spray a copper-based fungicidal soap on the leaves, coating the top and bottom leaf surfaces. Reapply as directed on the product label. Copper penetrates the leaf surface and prevents germination of spores so the fungus cannot spread.
- Apply an all-purpose fungicide to the entire plant, following the label instructions carefully.

- Clear fall leaves from the ground before winter to minimize places where fungi and bacteria can overwinter.
- Maintain good air movement between plants through proper plant spacing.
- Increase air circulation through the center of plants through pruning.
- Thoroughly clean all pruning tools after working with diseased plants.
- Never dispose of disease plant material in a compost pile.
- Avoid overhead watering to keep moisture off of the foliage.
- Keep plants healthy by providing adequate sunlight, water, and fertilizer.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.






- Remove beetles, nymphs, and eggs. Remove all life stages of the beetles and kill them by placing them in a bucket of warm, soapy water. This can be done more easily by placing the bucket under affected leaves and shaking the plant. This method is most effective in the afternoon when leaf beetles are more active. Always dispose of insects in a sealed bag or container to avoid escape and spread.
- Apply organic insecticides. Use naturally-derived insecticides before moving on to synthetic insecticides. Neem oil and pyrethrum are naturally-derived insecticides that should be applied following label instructions.
- Apply synthetic insecticides. Examples of insecticides effective for leaf beetles include carbaryl, permethrin, and bifenthrin. Apply insecticides according to label instructions.

- Regularly check for beetles. To prevent large pest infestations, be proactive about frequently checking plants for pests and removing them quickly.
- Clear debris. Clear weeds and debris to remove areas where these beetles may overwinter and hide.
- Attract natural predators. Birds and other insects, such as wasps and ladybugs, are effective natural predators of leaf beetles. Encourage them to visit by including a diverse array of plants to provide habitat and food. Also, avoid applying broad-spectrum herbicides that can harm and kill beneficial insects.
- Plant aromatic herbs like mint, garlic, or rosemary, as these can repel leaf beetles.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.






- Apply insecticide. For an organic solution, spray plants with a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt), which specifically affects the larval stage of moths and butterflies. Be sure to coat plants, since caterpillars need to ingest Bt for it to be effective. This will not harm other insects.
- Spray a chili extract. Chili seeds can be cooked in water to make a spicy spray that caterpillars don't like. Spray this mixture on the plants, but be aware it will also be spicy to humans.
- Introduce beneficial insects. Release beneficial insects to the garden that eat caterpillars, such as parasitic wasps.
- Hand pick. Using gloves, pick off caterpillars on plants and dispose of them in a bucket of soapy water.
- Dust plants with diatomaceous earth. This powder is harmless to humans but irritates caterpillars. Therefore, it will make it difficult for caterpillars to move and eat.

- Monitor plants. Check plants regularly for caterpillar eggs on leaves. If they do not belong to an endangered species, they should be squished.
- Use insect netting. Cover plants with insect netting to prevent butterflies and moths from laying eggs on plants.
- Apply diatomaceous earth. Apply DE to plants early in the season and reapply after rain.
- Encourage plant diversity. This will attract predatory insects including parasitic wasps.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.





- Wilted, droopy flowers
- Petals and leaves begin to wrinkle
- Brown papery streaks or spots appear on the petals and leaf tips
- Flowerhead shrink in size
- Petal color fades
- Yellowing leaves
- Complete death of the flower



- Water plants according to their needs -- either keep the soil slightly moist or allow the top inch or two to dry out before watering again.
- Fertilize lightly on a consistent basis, depending upon the plant’s growth. Quick-growing plants and those that flower or develop fruit will need more frequent fertilizing than slow-growing plants.
- Purchase plants that are certified disease- or pathogen-free.
- Look for disease-resistant cultivars.
- Isolate plants showing disease symptoms to prevent the spread to neighboring plants.
- Practice good plant hygiene by removing any fallen plant material as soon as possible.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.





- Pallid spots on colored petals.
- Brown spots on white petals.
- Browning around the petal edges.
- Small spots look water-soaked.
- Spots rapidly enlarge and merge.
- Flowers become limp.
- The entire flower turns light brown, but does not crumble.
- Flowers become slimy at first and then take on a leathery texture.
- A ring of white or gray mycelium can be seen at the base of the petals.



- Apply a preventative dose of fungicide as soon as blooms start to show color on the plant. The preventative can be applied as a soil drench or directly to the flowers on the plant.
- Avoid overhead watering during blooming.
- Remove any leaf litter and dead flowers at the end of the season.
- Cover the ground under infected plants with 4” of fresh organic mulch before winter, taking care not to disturb the infected soil.
- Buy bare-root specimens when available.
- When potted plants are purchased, remove the top layer of potting soil and replace it with fresh mulch.
- Plant cultivars that bloom early in the season before the temperatures get high enough for petal blight pathogens to be spreading.

Learn how to prevent and treat plant diseases.

Distribution Map
Habitat
Map


More Info




Name story
Symbolism
Usages
Scientific Classification

Related Plants

Related Articles












