Hydrangea is an ornamental shrub that does not require special care. However, in some cases, the plant blooms poorly and produces small buds. To find out why hydrangeas have small inflorescences, it is necessary to carefully examine the bush and identify possible causes of the problem.
Why hydrangea has small inflorescences
Proper plant care allows you to enjoy attractive flowering. However, in some cases problems arise. Small flowers in hydrangea can appear for the following reasons:
- untimely or incorrect pruning;
- improper shelter for the winter;
- insufficient amount of nutrients in the soil;
- wrong place for growth;
- pests;
- excessive watering or lack of moisture.
The appearance of small buds in hydrangea
Also, the reasons why flowers bloom near a hydrangea bush may be improperly selected soil and excessive shading. The plant prefers loose soil and moderate shade. Otherwise, the buds will be small and may become deformed.
Important! Hydrangea grown on a windowsill has smaller buds than a crop grown in open ground.
What to do for hydrangea to have large flowers
Small and weak inflorescences in hydrangea may indicate that she needs additional care. In order for the plant to bloom profusely, it is important to follow some mandatory rules.
What to do if small inflorescences
Correct pruning
Thanks to regular pruning, young shoots appear on the bushes. The absence of such procedures leads to the fact that the growth becomes small, and flowering panicles are smaller. In autumn, you need to regularly trim the shoots. Other procedures are also needed:
- regular rejuvenation of the bush;
- removal of wilted inflorescences;
- timely pruning of broken and damaged pests shoots.
Performing timely pruning hydrangeas
It is also important to timely remove the shoots that grow inside the bush, and do not allow other branches to ventilate. If this is not done, as a result of a lack of oxygen on the bush, fungal diseases can appear that adversely affect the appearance of buds.
Protect the bush from frost
Exposure to low temperatures can also be the reason why hydrangea fades. In mid-September, it is necessary to reduce watering and prepare the bush for winter. The roots of the plant should be covered with spruce and humus. The shoots must be tilted to the ground and covered with spruce branches, agrofibre or make shelter for them from dense fabric. This will reduce the risk of bush frostbite.
Protecting the bush from frost
In the spring, shelter is removed from the bush only after the air warms up. If after removing the shelter there is a decrease in air temperature, the buds may either not start or get small.
Important! In cold regions, it is better to use special shelters made of film or warm materials.
Feed on time
The correct application of nutrients is the key not only to the health of the bush, but also to plentiful flowering. Excessive fertilizing will stimulate young shoots in large quantities, which will not have time to numb and form buds. The lack of substances does not allow the bush to develop properly.
Nutrient components must be introduced in early spring, before the formation of leaves. During the appearance of greenery, nitrogen fertilizers cannot be used. This can contribute to the rapid collection of foliage, and the buds will be absent or formed deformed.
Rules for feeding hydrangea:
- In the spring, during the period of kidney opening, nitrogen fertilizers are used.
- Before forming buds, it is recommended to use potash fertilizers.
- In the fall, organic dressing is introduced.
The timely introduction of nutrient components contributes to the appearance of large panicles that bloom throughout the summer.
Important! For hydrangea, it is better to use fertilizers that dissolve well in water and are applied by the root method.
Choose the right landing place
Small buds can appear if the place on the site is incorrectly selected for the bush. Preference should be given to places near small fences or bushes. The plant needs a small shadow to form shoots.
Selection of a place for planting a bush
The fight against diseases and pests that provoke the appearance of small flowers
Buds can develop poorly if pests appear on hydrangeas:
- Spider mite - affects the leaves of the plant and most often hides on their underside. With a large accumulation of insects, the plant begins to weaken, and it does not have enough strength to form large buds.
- Aphids - eats plant juice. The pest leads to weak hydrangea and leaves a sticky coating on the leaves and shoots. Aphid destroys a flower panicle.
For the fight, special preparations can be used, such as Thiophos, Vertimek. Effective against pests is a solution of laundry soap.
Diseases and pests affecting the growth of inflorescences
When wondering why hydrangeas have small and deformed flowers, you need to understand if the plant is sick. Common crop diseases:
- Chlorosis - leads to discoloration of the leaves. As a result of severe infection, the plant practically does not form flowers.
- Downy mildew - manifests itself as small spots on the shoots and leaves. Young shoots can cover with plaque, which is negatively displayed on the process of the appearance of buds.
To cope with diseases, the bush is treated with a Bordeaux mixture or a solution of iron sulfate.
Removing the first flowers to stimulate flowering
In the first year of flowering, the appearance of the first buds may also be the reason why hydrangea was ground. In order for the buds to be large, it is necessary to trim the first inflorescences. Otherwise, the plant will give all its forces to their formation, which may adversely affect the root system. In the future, small buds can form on the bush, and it can bloom less often.
Removing the first buds
Hydrangea differs in the size of the buds during flowering. Most often, the inflorescences are in the form of a small cap. However, with improper care and lack of nutrients, the flowers become small or appear in small quantities. To resolve the problem, timely measures must be taken.
