Hydrangea Runaway Bride Problems
The Hydrangea Runaway Bride, an award-winning plant known for its exquisite blooms, has become a coveted possession among gardening enthusiasts. Having been named the RHS Chelsea plant of the year, expectations are naturally high for its performance. However, some gardeners have faced challenges in coaxing this beauty into bloom. Here’s a look into the primary issues and potential solutions.
Issue: Lost Initial Blooms Without Succession
One common disappointment among buyers is that the Runaway Bride, although full of flowers at the point of purchase, quickly loses them and fails to produce new ones during the anticipated season.
Possible Solutions:
- Understanding the Growth Cycle: Hydrangeas typically flower on the previous year’s wood. This means that if the blooms are lost in a particular year, it might not produce any flowers in that season, but the foliage growth indicates a healthy plant ready to bloom the next year.
- Pot Size and Material: The size of the pot matters. A larger pot provides more room for root growth and retains more moisture, ensuring the plant doesn’t dry out quickly. Plastic pots are preferable to terracotta ones as they retain moisture better.
- Watering and Feeding: Hydrangeas are thirsty plants. Regular watering ensures they do not dry out. Regular feeding, once every two weeks, with a suitable plant feed can promote healthy growth and future blooms.
Issue: Mismatched Expectations Due to Forced Flowering
There’s a possibility that the plants available in the market, especially after a major event like the Chelsea Flower Show, are forced into flowering. This means they are manipulated to bloom outside of their natural cycle, which could result in a lack of natural flowering during the season.
Possible Solutions:
- Patience: If a plant has been forced into flowering, it might need time to revert to its natural cycle. Regular care, without overwatering, is vital.
- Understand the Seasonality: The flowering season for the Runaway Bride is notably long. However, it’s essential to understand that the “long flowering season” doesn’t necessarily mean continuous blooms throughout the entire season, but rather that the blooms, once they appear, last a long time.
Issue: Environmental Stress
There might have been moments when the plant got too dry or was exposed to excessive sunlight, leading it to abort its buds.
Possible Solutions:
- Regular Check for Water: The name Hydrangea comes from the word ‘hydra’, meaning water. This plant requires frequent watering. However, it’s crucial not to let the plant stand in water, as this can lead to root rot.
- Proper Positioning: While the Runaway Bride does enjoy the sunlight, like most hydrangeas, it also appreciates some shade during the hottest parts of the day.
In conclusion, while the Hydrangea Runaway Bride might present some initial challenges, with the right care and understanding, it promises to be a delightful addition to any garden. So, for those facing issues, remember to water, feed, and most importantly, be patient. Your garden will be rewarded with stunning blooms in due course.
