Problems with pot plants

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Freeranger
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Problems with pot plants

Post by Freeranger »

I have a hydrangea that was started as a cutting, as was a weigela. The weigela is in a pot outside and has developed a distinct reddish tinge. The hydrangea is indoors on a windowsill. It is a single stem that I pinched out, but it hasn't grown any side shoots. Its two lower leaves started to look a little red. I put a few blood, bone & meal pellets on the surface, but the leaves went yellowish and very pale. I also put some on the weigella pot, but it hasn't ade much difference - still red but otherwise OK-looking. Quite bushy.
Does anyone have any idea what's wrong, please? Maybe they do die back at this time of year? Could the hydrangea dislike a drafty spot? Suggestions welcome.
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Mo
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Mo »

Autumn?
Never thought of either as pot plants. Do you plan to keep them potted?
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Gwenoakes
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Gwenoakes »

I took 18 cuttings off my Hydrangeas this summer and all 18 have grown well, but I have them all outside in plastic pots with just ordinary multi purpose compost.
I have also taken 12 more cuttings a few weeks later of black stemmed ones and so far, touch wood they are all OK too.
I do know that Hydrangeas need plenty of water and they can soak water up through their leaves.
I do think your Hydrangea would do better if you had them outside to be honest, but this is only my thoughts.
I did try H cuttings when Monty on Gardeners World said it was the right time and they all went to Australia.
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albertajune
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by albertajune »

I agree that hydrangeas should be outside. I don't think they like too much hot sun so maybe move yours from the windowsill. When my garden ones were young they needed lots of water. The leaves turning can be a sign of autumn. I think they can be grown in very large pots outside but don't do so well.
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Freeranger
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Freeranger »

I can certainly put it outside - it didn't do well in its first year so I kept it in for TLC, but if outdoors is best then out it will go. The weigela's already out there, in a pot just because it was a cutting and I also hadn't decided on its resting pace. Do they die back completely in autumn and come back again in spring? Thanks for your replies, all.
Gwenoakes
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Gwenoakes »

I am going to correct my post where I said 18 Hydrangea cuttings, I should have said 8 and then I took another 10 which at the moment are not doing too bad.
Hydrangeas die back, leaves fall off and flower heads die. I just cut flower stems right back to base and anything else that looks as though it will look untidy when regrowth starts.
I know that there are some Hydrangeas that should not be cut back...…….my daughter has told me, but which ones I do not know.
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albertajune
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by albertajune »

I am now cutting the flower heads and drying them before they die back properly.
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Freeranger
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Freeranger »

I haven't had flowers on it, but there were signs of buds at the leaf/stem nodes, so maybe it was getting around to it. Hmm - a cutty back one or a not-cutty-back one? I wonder how I tell. I'll look that up. I think I need to get that right because it is just a single stem.
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Mo
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Re: Problems with pot plants

Post by Mo »

I read that you should be careful when you deadhead Hydrangeas as the flower buds form just below the old flower. Mind you, mine is in a narrow border in front of the kitchen and there is an invasive (but beautiful) Hypericum on the other side of the path so I have to do a fair bit of cutting back or I'd never get past. Even so I get wet if it's rained.
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