Have your hydrangeas been looking brown and unhealthy lately? Don’t fret! We’ve got you covered with effective solutions to save your beloved plants. In this article, we will explore the causes behind this issue and provide you with practical tips to bring your hydrangeas back to life. Let’s dive in and learn how to tackle this problem together!
Causes of Hydrangea Browning and Dying
Three common culprits are responsible for hydrangeas turning brown and dying: fungus or bacteria, low water levels, and over-fertilization. Identifying the cause is crucial to implementing the appropriate solution.
Fungus or Bacteria
If you notice spots on your hydrangea leaves, it could be a sign of fungal or bacterial infection. White spots typically indicate a fungal issue, while black spots suggest a bacterial problem. To address this, you need to reduce the amount of water reaching your plants.
Start by adjusting your watering schedule to limit watering your hydrangeas to fewer times per week. In addition, clear away any leaf debris around the base of your plants, as it can serve as a breeding ground for fungus and bacteria. Pruning your hydrangeas to enhance airflow can also help reduce the growth of fungi and bacteria. If you’re unsure about the type of infection you’re dealing with, you can find products on the market that treat both.
Low Water
When the leaves of your hydrangeas start wilting and the soil feels dry to the touch, it’s a sign of low water. Fortunately, this is a relatively easy problem to identify and solve. Increase the amount of water you give to your plants by adding an extra day of watering per week and extending the watering times by 5 minutes. Remember not to increase water too quickly to avoid overwatering.
If your hydrangeas don’t recover within a week, gradually increase the watering times each week until you see improvement in their condition.
Over-Fertilized
Over-fertilization can also cause hydrangeas to turn brown and die. If you suspect this is the issue, pay attention to the timing of the problem. If it occurs shortly after fertilizing and the entire leaf turns yellow and dies, it’s likely due to excessive fertilization.
To address this problem, soak the ground around your hydrangeas to rinse away the excess fertilizer. Place a hose around the base of each plant for at least ten minutes. After thoroughly soaking the ground, avoid watering for a few days. If you’ve successfully removed the excess fertilizer, you should see your hydrangeas starting to recover within a week. However, if they continue to look sickly and yellow, repeat the soaking process to eliminate more fertilizer. Once your hydrangeas regain their health and vitality, you’ll know you’ve rinsed away enough fertilizer.
How to Keep Hydrangeas Healthy
Preventing hydrangeas from browning and dying is easier than you might think. By following a few simple steps, you can keep your hydrangeas healthy and flourishing.
Proper Watering
Maintaining a proper watering schedule is crucial for your hydrangeas’ overall health. Water your plants three times a week, ensuring each watering session lasts at least 20 minutes. This allows the water to penetrate deeply into the soil, encouraging robust root growth.
Correct Fertilizing
Alongside proper watering, a well-executed fertilizing schedule is essential for healthy hydrangeas. Apply fertilizer once in the spring when new growth appears and again during the summer to support their overall well-being. A quarter cup of fertilizer per plant is sufficient. Simply sprinkle a small handful of fertilizer around the base of each plant while wearing gloves.
Pruning Techniques
Proper pruning is another vital aspect of hydrangea care. Pruning should be done just before spring, but after summer. While some people prefer to prune in the fall, others enjoy leaving the tall stalks for a visually pleasing winter yard.
By pruning your hydrangeas annually and ensuring proper watering and fertilizing, you’ll witness the impressive health and beauty of your beloved plants.
Do Hydrangeas Come Back Every Year?
The good news is, hydrangeas do come back every year. However, certain factors can affect their survival, such as the type of hydrangea and the climate in which you live.
The main reason hydrangeas might not come back every year is if the roots don’t survive the winter. If you live in a frigid winter environment, there’s a chance your hydrangeas won’t make it. However, some hydrangea varieties are hardier in such conditions, like the Panicle Hydrangea. On the other hand, Big Leaf Hydrangeas are more sensitive to the cold and may require replanting in regions with cold winters. If you’re growing a variety of Big Leaf Hydrangea, consider covering it during the winter to help it survive.
How to Cover Hydrangeas
To ensure the survival of your hydrangeas in harsh winter conditions, you can create a protective cover for them. Build a small box around the plants and fill it with leaves to shield them from the wind chill.
Insert four wooden stakes around the hydrangea plant, each about 1 foot high. Wrap a small amount of chicken wire around the stakes to create a cage. Fill the cage with leaves, making sure they reach a depth of at least 8 inches. Irregularly shaped leaves work best as they trap warm air between them. Pine needles are also effective in protecting your plants from wind chill.
If your winter temperatures drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit, consider wrapping the outside of the cage with a burlap sack to provide additional protection against the wind. Remember to uncover your hydrangeas once the risk of freezing temperatures has passed.
Final Thoughts
In this article, we’ve explored the common causes of hydrangeas turning brown and dying and provided effective solutions to save your precious plants. By following proper watering, fertilizing, and pruning techniques, your hydrangeas will thrive and bring beauty to your garden year after year.
Remember, while hydrangeas are resilient, certain varieties may require additional care to survive harsh winters. By taking necessary precautions, such as covering your plants with a protective cage and filling it with leaves, you can help your hydrangeas thrive even in challenging weather conditions.
We hope you found this article helpful. If you’re interested in learning more, stay tuned for our posts on topics such as “How Long for Hydrangea to Bloom?” and “How to Overwinter Hydrangeas.” Happy gardening!
