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Florist Hydrangea

I have a beautiful potted hydrangea that I received from the florist but don’t know how to care for it. Can I plant it outdoors? Any suggestions??

pink potted hydrangea

Potted florist Hydrangea are grown in a controlled environment in the greenhouse to produce big, showy flowers. This forcing process produces weakened plants that may not survive outdoors. Because they are weak and not as hardy as the nursery cultivars, planting outdoors is not recommended . They can be grown in a container and kept outdoors in dappled shade during the summer months but need to be brought indoors in a frost-free place for the winter.
One of the biggest problem maintaining florist hydrangea is watering. Don’t allow the soil to dried out. They like evenly moist soil but cannot tolerate wet feet. When the flowers droop and wilt, there is a tendency to water because the plant looks dry and lack of water may be the reason why it is drooping; but if the soil is still wet and flowers are drooping then it has had too much water and has root damage. When watering a hydrangea , remove the decorative cover, fill a saucer with water and let the plant stand in it for up to 45 min. then drain. Watering from the top is not recommended. Keep the plant in bright indirect light and temperatures of 50-60 degrees at night to prolong blooming . Florist hydrangeas are considered short-term gift plants to be enjoyed and discarded.

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January 2nd, 2007 | Tags: , , | Category: BLOOMING HOUSEPLANTS, Garden Review, HYDRANGEA | 18 comments
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18 comments to Florist Hydrangea

  • linda dixon
    January 2nd, 2007 at 10:29 am · Reply

    I got a Blue Hydrangia for Easter, the flowers have died so I cut them off. The leaves are sparse and light green. I live in New Brunswick, Canada. Can I put it in the ground yet? Or should it stay inside. I have never had one & don’t know how to treat it. Thanks, for your help.

    Chances are that it is a greenhouse hydrangea, grown for large showy blooms on weak stems. The plant is not hardy but can be kept outdoors in the shade during the summer and back indoors for the winter. You might consider it as a cut flower arrangement. They last only so long and then they die.

  • Dinah
    January 2nd, 2007 at 10:34 am · Reply

    I received a beautiful blue hydrangea potted plant for Mother’s day. Now the flowers are a lime green - I don’t know what the variety is. Is it possible to save this plant for next year - either in the pot, or planted outside. If so, HOW?

    The florist’s greenhouse Hydrangea is grown to produce big flowers at the expense of a hearty plant. To plant them outdoors is not recommended. If by chance your hydrangea turns out to be a healthy plant, you can keep it outdoors (semi-shade) all summer and bring it indoors in the fall. Water it regularily and feed it every two weeks during the active growing season. To maintain the blue color, fertilize it once a month with aluminum sulfate during the growing season. If you live in zone 6 or higher, plant it outdoors, mulch it and hope it survives the winter. A friend of mine has had some success in wintering over his container hydrangea by keeping it in a frost free space(garage) and wrapping the container with insulation to keep the roots from freezing. It is natural for the flowers to turn lime green as they age.

  • Dinah
    January 2nd, 2007 at 10:49 am · Reply

    Thank you, I DID keep it outdoors on a sheltered porch and it does seem to still be healthy. So, I will try the suggestion of keeping it in the garage over the winter.
    And then next spring - trim it? It still has the same big beautiful flowers on it.

    Trim off any dead flowers and dead stems in the spring. Don�t trim too much as you will trim away potential flowers. Remember it blooms on old wood.

  • Armeather Gibbs
    January 2nd, 2007 at 10:55 am · Reply

    I received a hydrangea plant as a gift about a week ago. The next day, the flowers were completely drooped but the leaves were strong and green. I watered the plant and the flowers came back and all looked good. Within the next two days, the plant looked like it had died. All the flowers were drooped and soft and the leaves were dry and crisp. I am at a loss as to why(did I kill by overwatering?) or did I just get a bad plant. I watered again to no avail. I took off all the dried flowers and very brittle leaves and have nothing but dry stalk-like stems. Given how pretty and healthy it was when I received it, I can�t believe what it looks like now. Any thoughts or is the plant gone for good?

    Yes you can kill it by overwatering. Hydrangeas do require lots of water and the first response to droopy flowers is to water, the important thing to remember is that the roots cannot sit in water it invites root rot which is what your plant seems to indicate. Best way to water a hydrangea is not from the top but to fill a saucer, let the plant stand in it for 45 min and then drain. Be sure to take the plastic sleeve off (if there is one) to allow free drainage. It may recover somewhat but I�m not sure if it will be worth the effort.

  • Christine
    January 2nd, 2007 at 11:00 am · Reply

    i actually have a question.. i was sent a hydrangia, and its in a pot, but has one of those bricks of styrafome inside.. can i repot this in a pot of soil? Christine

    Yes, I believe you can. They grow some poinsettias the same way. The roots should eventually grow through the medium into the soil

    .

  • Joanna
    January 2nd, 2007 at 11:05 am · Reply

    I received a beautiful hydrangea as a gift yesterday - have no idea what variety it is. It has one tall stem with a beautiful, huge purple ball of flowers at the top. I believe it was purchased at a grocery type store. I would love to keep it looking as good as it does now, but am clueless as to the proper care. I was hoping to be able to plant it outside (I live in central/eastern Massachusetts) but from reading previously posted comments, I get the feeling it will not survive a transplant to outdoor soil. What is the best care for my hydrangea and how does its future look? Thank you! Joanna

    It sounds like a greenhouse hydrangea. You can try to rebloom your hydrangea indoors, although I’m not sure it is worth the effort. To start: cut the shoots back to two pairs of leaves or nodes after the plant is done flowering. In the spring replant it in a container, water and fertilize, keeping it outdoors in dappled shade for the summer. If the stems get too tall you can pinch them back but no later than July. Once the cold weather arrives you will need to let it go dormant by keeping it dry and storing it at temerpatures 35-40 degrees for 6 weeks. After the dormant period place it in a sunny, cool spot indoors and begin to water and fertilize. If all goes well the plant should rebloom in 4 months.

  • Phyllis
    January 2nd, 2007 at 11:41 am · Reply

    I was at an affair on Sunday and was given the most beautiful Hydrangia plant. On arriving home I put it on my counter near a window when I woke in the morning all the bulbs look dead. The beautiful flowers were all gone and the leaves are starting to dry out. Can I save this plant in any way?

    Your plant could be a victim of root rot from overwatering or not enough water. Typically hydrangias need lots of water but when they get too much and the plant sits in water it will eventually develop root rot. Symptoms indicate wilted flowers and leaves and the first reaction is too give it more water because it looks like its wilting, this only adds to the problem. Be sure to let the water drain and plant dry out. It may recover or it may be too late. If it was underwatered then it would perk up after you watered it.

  • Bonnie Bradley
    January 2nd, 2007 at 11:47 am · Reply

    I recently received a pink Hydrangia, not sure of the type as all it says is Hydrangia. I�m sure purchased in a supermarket. It is a warm May in Western Washington, when should I plant?, what if I do not have partial shade but only full sun?, does this plant like a good draining soil or a mushy area?, I understand that lime will help maintain the pink blooms, how much do I need if it appears that my plant requires it and last I think I over watered in the pot and over-fertilized as the leaves are drying and curling and the blooms that were not full yet are turning soft and drooping, should I remove those blooms? Thank you so much for your help as I have wanted one of these beautiful plants and finally have one. I don’t want to lose it.
    ~~Bonnie B

    You have a gift hydrangea. It will scorch in full sun (browning of leaves) and needs well drained moist soil. It will most likely stay pink as blue requires a low ph maintainance. Remove all dead bloom and be sure that the roots don’t sit in water. See above post on Greenhouse hydrangea care.

  • Jan Olmstead
    January 14th, 2007 at 5:44 pm · Reply

    I have a potted hydrangea and the heads are dropping over. What could be causing this?

    Potted hydrangea (greenhouse) can be tempremental. Drooppy heads can be caused by either not enough water or too much water. When the hydrangea is dry we give it lots of water and if it still looks droopy we add more thinking it didn’t get enough. The result is that it causes root rot and inability to absorb water. The best way to water a potted hydrangea is to bottom water - place it in a saucer of water and let it stand for 45min to 1 hr. then remove and let it drain.

  • rydusk
    July 9th, 2007 at 9:34 am · Reply

    I bought a pink hydrangea that was on a mothers day sale, so I am assuming its what you refer to as a greenhouse hydrangea. I put it in a pot outside, the flower turned green and the leaves have large areas that look burnt off. Is there any way to save this plant? I water it frequently. Also, is it supposed to grow another flower? Its just one stem with flowers at the tops. thanks!

    Put your plant in the shade and slowly ease your plant to more sun. As the flower matures it will turn a green color. I doubt that it will bloom again although if your’e lucky it might send out a small new flower if you deadhead the old one. It should send out some green growth from side shoots and with proper watering and light will grow. Depending on where you live-they are not hardy in Northern states and would have to be indoors during the winter.

  • veronica Whiteside
    September 11th, 2007 at 9:15 am · Reply

    Hi. I have a Hydrangea planted in my garden and a friend of mine would like a cutting. Could you please tell me how I would do it and if it would work.
    Thank you. Veronica.

    Hydrangea are relatively easy to root. Take a 4-6″ softwood cutting from new growth with a least 4 eyes (buds). Take of the foliage from the bottom set of buds and cut the top leaves in half. This helps reduce moisture loss through the leaves. Dip the cutting in rooting hormone and place it 2″ deep in a soiless mix of perlite and peat moss. Give it a good soaking. Keep container away from direct sun at an ideal temperature of 70-75. To maintain or increase moisture/humidity place container in a plastic bag using a stick to make a mini greenhouse. Be sure that it doesn’t get too hot inside as that will cook the plant. Don’t keep it too wet, water when soil looks lighter and like it is drying out. Your cutting should root in 3-5 wks. Once rooted, transplant and slowly expose it to morning sun. If it is leggy pinch it back to promote a bushier growth. Best time to do this is in the spring so that the plant has enough time to develop a strong root system for the winter otherwise the newly rooted plant may need to spend the winter indoors.

  • Leanne
    January 18th, 2008 at 9:40 am · Reply

    I received a pink Hydrangia plant from a garden centre (Costco). I am not sure what to do with it, should I plant it outside or leave it in the the pot that it came in. There was no care or plant type label. I live in eastern Ontario Canada, very cold winters. Please advise.
    Thanks, Leanne

    If this was a greenhouse gift plant, then there is a good chance that it is not hardy in Canada and will die in the winter. These plants are grown under controlled greenhouse conditions to produce large showy flowers at the expense of a healthy plant. If it is a nursery grown plant for outdoors, chances are that the garden center would sell a product that is hardy in your area but stranger things have been known to happen. I would still plant it and hope for the best. Either way, you have nothing to loose. Kris

  • Kevin
    May 21st, 2008 at 5:49 pm · Reply

    I bought a potted hydrangea and I watered it too much without draining it each time. How can I save it? Cut and how, transfer in a larger pot? I try to follow your suggestion by watering and draining it each time now, but the recovery is limited for now. I would love to save this beautiful blue plant.
    Many thanks, Kevin

    Hi Kevin
    Most likely your hydrangea is suffering from root rot. For the time being, keep it in a semi-shaded area and let it dry between watering. When the top 1-2 inches of the soil are dry ,water it. The leaves may all wilt and die but if the roots recuperate, then they will send out new growth. You can then repot and place the plant in AM sun.

  • Julia
    July 17th, 2008 at 9:18 am · Reply

    What can you tell me about root rot on hydrangeas and is it possible to save the plant. I lost three last year and am loosing more this year.

    Hi Julia
    Root rot occurs when the plant roots are in water for an extended period of time due to poor drainage or overwatering. Fungal disease attack the stressed, weakened roots. If the plant is in a container, be sure to drain out any exceess water. When the top inch feels slightly dry or the leaves start to droop (flag) then water again. It’s a fine balance between too dry and too wet with hydrangeas. If your plant is in the ground, then you will need to amend the soil by adding organic material such as pine bark /compost to the soil or plant in raised beds to improve drainage .For more info go to http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1212/

  • Martha
    May 1st, 2009 at 6:26 am · Reply

    How can I keep the deep purple color of my new hydrangeas. I’ve planted it outside and it seems to be okay. Partial sun/shade(afternoon sun).

  • John
    May 13th, 2009 at 11:41 am · Reply

    I have a beautiful Hydrandrea potted plant. I think I may have killed it. It got cold out but not a frost (Low 40º) and now the leaves and flowers are drooping. Is there any luck of reviving it? Love this plant to much to wait till next year to see it’s flowers.
    John

    Hi John
    Florist hydrangea can be very delicate and sensitive to cold and sun after all they have lead a pampered life. Keep it indoors and when you are sure the night temperatures are warmer 50’s leave it outdoors. Also be careful as to how much sun they get. When the leaves start to “flag” (wilt) move the plant away from the sum. Wilting can also occur when there is a root problem so be careful not to overwater or let the plant sit in water.

  • Anna
    May 26th, 2009 at 5:11 pm · Reply

    I have a potted Endless Summer Hydrangea which I planted last year, all the ones I planted in the ground are showing life except the potted one, I can’t loose it, what should I do?

    Hi Anna
    You may have lost it if you left it in the pot outdoors in winter. The ones in the ground benefit from the soil insulating the roots keeping them from freezing. The roots of plants grown in pots are more susceptible to cold and will freeze up much faster.

  • Anna
    May 26th, 2009 at 5:12 pm · Reply

    please send replies to my email

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