Put the pot in a spot that is away from any direct sunlight and keep the soil slightly damp. In two to four weeks, a root system should begin to develop. You can transplant the cutting so that it can have the winter to establish a strong root system.
Though they are fast growing shrubs, it can take 2-4 years for hydrangeas to reach their full size. Some are faster to mature than others. Growing hydrangeas is simple, and they can thrive in just about any climate.
A newly planted bush may bloom the first year if it set flower buds while it was confined to a pot, and then not bloom again for a year or two as it settles into the soil in its new location. Instead it is busy growing new roots and branches, instead of flower buds.
Late-Blooming Hydrangeas
The buds form in the spring and early summer and immediately open into blooms by late summer and through the fall. You will often hear that these hydrangeas bloom on “new wood” because they grow new wood and buds and bloom all in the same year.
Hydrangeas bloom seasonally and typically start to bud around mid-summer or late summer. However, a newly planted hydrangea may take 2-3 years to bloom.
Watering Newly Planted Hydrangeas
You do not want to plant them in an area that has standing water, especially after rainfall. Hydrangeas in the ground should be watered at least 3 times a week when planted to help establish a strong root system. They have shallow roots so mulch is an absolute must!
After you plant the hydrangea into the amended soil, be sure to add a thick layer of mulch. This will prevent weeds and maintain soil moisture. Then, give the plant a deep watering right after planting. Then again once or twice a week to keep the soil moist but not soggy (see watering tips below).
The primary reasons hydrangeas don't bloom are incorrect pruning, bud damage due to winter and/or early spring weather, location and too much fertilizer.
NOT ENOUGH WATER
Hydrangeas need regular water to thrive. Too little water can result in stunted growth and failure to develop flower buds. A drought in the previous growing season can also affect flowering the following year. Plants need consistent moisture, about 2 inches of water per week.
The reason for a dying hydrangea plant is often due to drought, frost damage, too much sun or transplant shock. To avoid drooping and dying hydrangeas, ensure the soil is consistently moist and provide protection from midday sun.
Hydrangeas grow well in partial shade, but too much of it and they won't flower. While these plants traditionally grow wild in the understory of forests, they still receive some dappled sun in their natural habitat. If yours is planted in a spot where it isn't receiving enough sun, you won't see blossoms.
Start fertilizing the year after planting.
Bigleaf, mountain, and smooth hydrangeas—especially the reblooming varieties that produce flowers on both old and new wood—will benefit from a second application of fertilizer in mid-summer.
As rapid growers—averaging about 2 feet of growth per year—larger varieties of hydrangeas can reach up to 15 feet tall. Applicable in growing zones 3 to 9, hydrangeas are a low maintenance plant that will return year after year with proper care.
Fall is the best season to plant hydrangeas, followed by early spring. The idea is to give the shrub plenty of time to establish a healthy root system before blooming. The best time of day to plant is early morning or late afternoon.
Hydrangeas need more water than most garden plants and will begin to wilt quickly without it. To ensure that Hydrangeas thrive, water deeply two to three times a week in the summer. Be sure to water in the morning or evening so that water does not evaporate as quickly as it would during the heat of the day.
If you don't prune hydrangeas then they can eventually resemble a tangled mass of woody stems, and the flowers will become smaller and less showy.
There are plenty of reasons why your hydrangeas may not be blooming as much as they once did. Conditions like extreme heat, drought, or excessive sun exposure can all impact how many flowers your shrubs produce. Pruning is also an important consideration.
Some gardeners report success in turning their hydrangeas blue by applying coffee grounds to the soil. The coffee grounds make the soil more acidic, allowing the hydrangea to more easily absorb aluminum. In addition, fruit peels, lawn clippings, peat moss and pine needles, are thought to have a similar effect.
Miracle-Gro Performance Organics Blooms Nutrition
This is an all-purpose blossom booster that's suitable for use on a wide variety of perennial and annual blooming plants, including hydrangeas.
For best results when planting hydrangeas, follow these steps: Create a hole twice as wide as the plant's root system, and about six inches deeper than the plant's pot. Break up the soil a bit before you plant to help the roots easily establish themselves.
Water them for longer.
"Keep in mind that light surface watering may help the foliage bounce back, but if the plant has experienced significant shock, deep soaks will help the root system rebuild and regain strength," she explains. "Watering them three to four times per week for a full five to 10 minutes is ideal."