Your hydrangea is drooping leaves or flowers and you have no idea what caused it. What are the most common reasons for this? Can you still save the plant and how?
With their strong flowers and beautiful, green foliage, hydrangeas are one of the most popular shrubs for the home garden. Although they are fairly easy to care for once established, drooping leaves and flowers are not uncommon. In some cases this may be due to growing conditions or a strain that tends to become a little floppy. Does your hydrangea have drooping leaves or flowers? This doesn't mean that it will die immediately, but it does mean that the plant is signaling that something is wrong and you should take action immediately.
Does your hydrangea have drooping leaves or flowers? These are the most common causes for this
Your hydrangea is in full bloom, but its beauty has quickly turned into a sad sight when it suddenly begins to wilt. If you notice that it only wilts in high temperatures and looks fresh again in the evening, that is normal. But if the plant continues to wilt in the evening, it's time to look for possible causes. Below are some reasons why your hydrangeaLeaves and flowershangs and how to fix this problem.
Too much sunlight and excessive heat
It often happens in summer that hydrangeas droop their leaves or flowers and this is due to the higher temperatures. They usually wilt when temperatures rise above 30°C. The moisture in the plant's leaves dries out more quickly and the hydrangea should absorb more nutrients from the soil.
But if that is the only cause and the plant is watered adequately, it will recover in the evening.
Therefore, it is important that you place your hydrangeas in partial shade to achieve optimal balance and the plant receives enough sun to produce flowers, but not too much that it wilts.
Lack of water is the most common cause
The most common cause of hydrangea drooping leaves and flowers is the combination of too much sun and too little water. As temperatures rise, it is particularly important to water the hydrangea properly and check the soil regularly.
If it feels dry, the necessary nutrients cannot reach the plant and it will become weak. To do this, water them thoroughly at the base with the garden hose, for up to 10 minutes if the weather is too hot. When watering, don't forget to mist the petals well every day as hydrangeas absorb water through the roots, stems and petals.
You can also use a 5 cm thick layer of mulch to retain moisture in the soil and protect it from drying out too quickly. Be sure to keep mulch away from the hydrangea trunk to avoid fungal diseases.
Too much water can also cause this
Although hydrangeas are thirsty plants, they can still be overwatered. Overwatered hydrangeas show similar symptoms to plants that receive too little water.
If you have yourWater hydrangeas regularlyand the lower leaves still wilt and droop, the plant probably doesn't need more moisture, but rather less.
In this case, reduce the frequency of watering or allow the plant to dry out completely and then water it well.
Hydrangea leaves or flowers drooping: Poor air circulation
In the hot summer days, when the weather is too calm, oxygen exchange is hindered and the hydrangea may droop its leaves and flowers due to the lack of oxygen. The poor air circulation can lead to an increase in the air temperature inside the plant, causing wilting and falling of the leaves and flowers.
To ensure good air circulation and avoid drooping leaves and flowers, plant plants well apart so air can flow freely through the foliage.Pruning the foliagecan also help to improve air circulation in this case.
Over-fertilization leads to drooping leaves and flowers
A fertilizer that is too high in nitrogen or too much fertilizer can cause the hydrangea to droop its flowers and leaves and they will eventually fall off. Too much nitrogen causes rapid growth, but the leaves and stems are thin and droop slightly. This is often evident during flowering when the unhealthy stems can no longer support the large flower heads.
Overfertilizing with nitrogen can also cause damage to the roots and hinder the plant's ability to absorb water. If nitrogen levels are too high, it may be helpful to fertilize with phosphorus and potassium to help the plant grow more evenly.
To avoid nitrogen over-fertilization, you should conduct a soil test before fertilizing to ensure there is a nutrient deficiency and to use the correct balanced fertilizer.
Flowers too heavy
Even delicate branches weighed down by heavy flowers can cause the hydrangea to droop. Heavy flowers can cause the delicate branches to bend until they touch the ground. This is not uncommon after heavy rain. Simply shake the water gently from the flowers to remove excess weight. The flowers will continue to shrink back as the remaining water evaporates. This is especially true for Hydrangea arborescens, also known as forest hydrangea, which is particularly susceptible to this with its very large flowers and stems that are too weak.
The simplest solution to this problem is regular pruning and targeted thinning of the flowers. This reduces the weight on the branches and avoids drooping leaves and flowers. You can also remove some flower buds early in the season before blooming.
Wrong container for potted plants
Containers that are neither too large nor too small are suitable for hydrangeas as they cannot cope with waterlogging and dryness. However, since they are fast-growing and their roots spread quickly, their pot should be replaced regularly.
When repotting the plant, choose a container that is 2 inches larger than the previous one to allow enough space for root growth.
Choose ceramic, clay, and terracotta containers with adequate drainage holes to promote air circulation and remove excess moisture.
The hydrangea is suffering from transplant shock
If your hydrangea begins to wilt immediately after transplanting, it is very likely that it is suffering from transplant shock. The delicate roots are often damaged so that they cannot absorb water and oxygen.
Newly planted hydrangeas may also droop their leaves and flowers due to varying soil conditions. The roots take some time to establish themselves in the soil and it is normal to notice drooping leaves or flowers during this time.
Transplanting at the wrong time of year can also cause stress to the plant. If it is not an emergency, you should wait until around September to transplant your hydrangea to reduce the shock.
Root competition in the soil
In companion planting, we group plants together, for example by planting certain herbs around other plants as natural pest control agents. However, an important factor when choosing companion plants is to consider the root type and depth of each plant.
If you suspect that your hydrangea is not getting enough water despite proper watering, it could mean that neighboring plants are in root competition with the hydrangea. This is especially true for trees that have large, shallow roots.
Pests and diseases
Some pests and diseases can also cause drooping leaves and flowers. Fusarium and Verticillium fungi in the soil, in particular, can infect the roots and prevent the hydrangea's leaves and flowers from receiving enough water.
Pests such as aphids and scale insects can also be the cause of drooping hydrangeas as they suck the sap from the leaves, stems and flowers, causing them to dry and wilt.
Use neem oil to keep the pests away and take effective measuresagainst fungal diseases in the garden.
