Propagation – Hydrangea can be started either by seed or from cuttings and transplants.  However, since so few actually try to work with the seed we will only cover cuttings and transplants in these directions.  If you are interested in working with seed, then consult the section of Chrysanthemums and follow those directions.

From Cuttings – Remove cuttings from April through August in most regions of the country.  The cutting you select should be from a non-flowering stem and should be cut 6” to 8” from the end.  Make sure that the cutting has two to three pair of leaves. Remove the bottom pair.

Place 1 ounce of Monty’s 4-15-12 in one gallon of water.  Ensure that the ends of your cuttings have not browned or hardened off.  If they have make a new cut approximately ¼ inch from each end. Soak cuttings overnight. Plant your hydrangea in sandy soil or in a pot, then cover with a glass jar or other clear cover until roots have formed. Keep the soil moist. Once roots have formed you can follow the directions below for transplanting.

Transplanting Cuttings – Add 1 ounce of Monty’s 4-15-12 per gallon of water in a container large enough to completely submerge the roots of the plants you wish to transplant. Set aside.  Dig up your plants or remove them from their container.  Submerge the roots into your Monty’s 4-15-12 solution while you prepare their new home. Hydrangea need well draining soil and prefer moist compost rich soil.  To achieve this we recommend mixing native soil 25/75 with potting mix or compost then treat the inside of the hole and the newly created soil mix with Monty’s Liquid Carbon soil conditioner.  Prepare the soil conditioner by diluting 2.5 -3 ounces in 1 gallon of water and either spraying the surface of the soil and the mix or by pouring it directly onto the surface until it is even moist, but not wet.

Plant your transplants into their new holes, fill each hole with your soil mix and cover to the node on the stem where you removed the bottom two leaves then water in with remaining liquid from your ‘root dip’ solution. Similar directions can be followed for relocating existing plants or for moving plants from a container to the garden.

In Season – Hydrangea bushes are fairly easy to grow. If you keep the soil moist, rich, and well draining they will respond well and produce vigorously with minimal care. A mix like the one described in the section on transplanting should be prepared annually to replenish any lost soil nutrients and to mulch should be supplied seasonally to keep the soil moist to promote lush growth and big blooms. Once the plant begins to produce leaves begin feeding Monty’s 8-16-8 with a watering can or a hose end sprayer. Add 1 ounce of Monty’s Fertility product per gallon of water in a watering can and pour over the foliage of the bush. If you prefer to water with a garden hose you can dilute your Monty’s 8-16-8,  1:3 with water in the reservoir of a hose-end applicator, then set the dial to 2 teaspoons apply until the leaves look like they have had a light rain or heavy dew. In mid-summer use Monty’s 2-15-15 formula as indicated in the above paragraph.  Thinning the stems, and removing spent blooms, will help to develop fuller, more colorful, and more abundant flowers.

In the Fall – In late fall to early spring, winterize your plant with 2.5 to 3 ounces of Monty’s Liquid Carbon and 1 ounce of Monty’s 2-15-15 formula fertilizer per gallon of water. Thoroughly wet the soil with your solution from the base of the plant to the drip line.  This will help the plant store energy for vigorous spring growth and help to winterize the bush and minimize the effects of ‘winter-kill’. In windy climates it is advisable to prune the canes back hard to prevent a ‘whipping’ effect which can lead to damage and even death of your stems and reduce flower production next season.

Unique Characteristics of Hydrangeas

Perhaps more than any other flower, hydrangeas reflects their environment.  If you have seen flowers of different colors, this is not due to varietal differences, in most cases.  But, rather, it is because of different soil types and minerals present in those soils.

Knowing this and armed with Monty’s you can use your hydrangeas to paint many different colors in your yard. Monty’s Liquid Carbon works to re-mineralize elements in your soil and helps to make many of those elements more readily available.  Regular application of Monty’s Liquid Carbon can also help to regulate pH. Aluminum Sulfate will increase aluminum in your soil.

Hydrangea will change the color of their bloom based on the amount of available in the soil and the pH level of the soil.  So by controlling these conditions your blooms will range from blue to white, to pink.

Acidic soils       +          High levels of available aluminum        =          blue flowers

Neutral soils     +          Lower levels of available aluminum      =         white flowers

Alkaline soils    +          Average levels of available aluminum   =          pink flowers

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