moving a hydrangea

Discussion in 'Woody Plants' started by erin_juniper, Apr 2, 2007.

  1. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    im moving soon and wish to take a small hydrangea with me.
    any tips?

    thanks, erin
     
  2. levilyla

    levilyla Active Member

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    Try and get as much soil as possible with it and make sure it gets plenty of water when you replant it. Also make sure it is well drained. Hydrangeas do not like soggy soil...moist and well drained.
     
  3. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    Im moving Jun 1st.
    Do you think I should dig it up now and replant her in a big pot, while it's still kinda spring and then plant it when I get there?
    Or just dig her up the day before we move?
     
  4. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Yes I would, but as advised try and get some soil with the roots. Hydrangea are pretty hardy and easy to make cuttings from. So if it gets a bit droopy in the pot is is just adjusting. It should be an easy plant to move even if you loose the soil from the roots because it is loose. Don't forget prefers cool shady spot.

    Liz
     
  5. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    Would it help if I placed it in a pot with some bone meal or some kinda yummy soil?
     
  6. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Bone meal is a good all round fertilizer but water will be important as well as cool semi shade. Did you not dig it up in your spring???

    Liz
     
  7. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    no, i wasn' sure if your "I would" meant I would in the spring or I would leave it till before moving day.
    I was nervous about having it in a pot for a month before going back in the ground.
     
  8. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    Don't be they are fairly hardy. As I said they grow like geraniums from cuttings. Dig it up place in pot of good soil and water in well keep damp while you move and as you settle in. It will get the droops but don't panic. Then in autumn put it where you want it and feed it then. Again water in well and prune it back. By the way the hydra part means water I think it is Greek??

    http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s1386708.htm

    http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0205/hydrangea_pruning.asp

    Liz
     
  9. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    You don't think I should put it in the garden when I get to the new place?

    I dug it up last night and put it in a big pot with some compost and topsoil. I got a good chunk of the dirt up with it and potted it like that. Then watered it and placed it in a shaded area.

    Thanks for the help.
     
  10. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    When you are settled and the weather is cooler and you know where you want it, it will be soon enough to plant it in the garden. When you prune make some cuttings. Just stick some sticks with buds on them into sandy soil and keep damp. Or try them in a glass of water.

    Liz.
     
  11. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    I read that it can be a good idea to wrap a hydrangea in a burlap sack in the winter. Do you think it is cold enough for that it Vancouver, BC? We're zone 7/8 here.
     
  12. Liz

    Liz Well-Known Member 10 Years

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    That I can't help you with as we rarely get to 0 celcius One of the locals will need to advise about Canada. BUT it sounds like a good idea. Straw is also a good insulater inside the hessian (burlap)
    Liz
     
  13. mort

    mort Active Member

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    hi, I have moved hydrangea bushes several times and they do pretty well without a lot of special treatment. I don't cover them in winter, but I agree they need lots of water in the summer. Sometimes I notice them looking quite droopy and a single drink can bring them back to life in a very short time.
     
  14. erin_juniper

    erin_juniper Active Member

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    thanks guys, it seems ok so far.
     

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