To help Hydrangeas thrive, give plants a deep soak 1-3 times a week rather than giving them little sips of water daily. Hydrangeas do not tolerate overwatering or drought well. Their leaves wilt in the heat of midday, making it difficult to tell by appearance whether they need additional water or not.
When a hydrangea receives too much water, its roots begin to rot. It can be difficult to tell whether the roots are rotting just by looking at it (although the other signs mentioned here are usually symptoms of root rot), but you may notice an unpleasant, rotting odor near the plant if root rot has set in.
Deep weekly watering is usually enough (if you don't get enough rain). Although you may need to water more often in hot, dry weather. Water hydrangeas deeply and regularly in the first growing season to encourage an extensive root system.
Don't Stop Watering
Raise your right hand and say “I will water my hydrangeas until the ground freezes solid.” Very good. It's vital to water hydrangeas deeply and consistently as they are thirsty plants by nature. Their name basically means hydration, but we don't need to geek out with Latin right now!
The Right Way To Water Hydrangeas
According to Karen Mitchell, Jefferson County Master Gardener, irrigating below the leaves and flowers at the base of the plant is best practice to avoid fungal-related issues and ensure the water goes directly to the root system.
You can also refer to the texture of the leaves to figure out what the problem is. Wilting or mushy leaves: overwatered hydrangea leaves are heavy and drooping. They may be mushy or pulpy to the touch because their cells are flooded. Underwatered plants, on the other hand, will have dry and crispy leaves.
If the leaves are drooping, it is time to water the plant. If the leaves are yellowing and turning brown, check for standing water or a clogged drainage hole.
Roots need oxygen to thrive, and if they are sitting in water for too long, they may begin to rot or die. The best way to prevent root rot from forming is to plant your hydrangea in well-draining soil to reduce the chances of fungal development.
You might be able to revive less-wilted blooms in just an hour or two, so check on them a few times while they soak to see if they're back to looking their best. If you notice they still look wilted after a few hours, leave them to soak overnight to see if that does the trick.
The goal is to have them last about two to three weeks! If they start to droop after a few days, cut the stem again and change the old water out to hot water once or twice a week. You can also mist the blooms daily – hydrangeas are one of the very few flowers that can actually drink water from their blooms!
Supply the Right Amount of Water
Along with planting them in the right place, properly watering your hydrangeas is essential to bigger and better blooms. "Hydrangeas should be watered deeply several times per week to encourage deep root growth," says Enfield.
Place the hydrangea(s) in the vase filled with hot water. Let sit for a minimum of one hour and voila! Revived hydrangeas.
If you've overwatered your hydrangeas, you can revive them by removing dead roots and replanting them. Afterward, be sure to check the soil to ensure you only water your plant when it's required. And keep an eye on the growing conditions to determine what it needs.
In warmer areas, many hydrangea types will suffer in the afternoon's scorching sun. The leaves and flower heads may burn, turning brown. If you notice this, that means your hydrangea is getting too much sun. Try moving it into filtered shade, or an area where it gets only a few hours of morning sun.
Most hydrangeas prefer only morning sun. Yet one type of hydrangea can soak up the sun all day: the panicle hydrangea. While they can stand the sun, these do just fine in partial shade, too. Plus, panicle hydrangeas are the hardiest hydrangeas.
Water hydrangeas in pots frequently, so the soil doesn't get dry during their blooming time. While hydrangeas are blooming they require daily watering. When we had an unusual hot spell this Summer, I even watered them twice a day – once in the morning, and once in the evening. That kept them healthy and happy.
It is suggested that Hydrangea wilt so soon after being cut because their stems contain a sticky substance that clogs the stems preventing moisture reaching the top of the stem to the head. Top Tip - Cut 10 cm off the stem and place in boiling water and leave for 24 hours.
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.
EMERGENCY RESCUE FOR WILTING HYDRANGEAS
Then recut and place the stems into boiling water and then back into a vase of fresh water. They should revive in a couple of hours and live another day or two.
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."
Most common hydrangeas prefer a partial sun location - ideally receiving sun in the morning hours and shade in the afternoon. The reblooming Endless Summer® Hydrangea series prefers part shade.
You will notice your hydrangeas wilting overnight, especially right after they're cut, because their blooms are unable to consume any moisture from the dew or rain that they get in the outdoors. In nature, hydrangeas love nighttime.