Before you can help me, you must understand my cry for help. My distress manifests in clear, physical symptoms. Are my leaves wilting dramatically, even when the soil is damp? This could be root rot from too much water, suffocating my roots and preventing them from drinking. Are my leaves turning brown and crispy at the edges? I am desperately thirsty, and my root system cannot draw up enough water to supply my large, thirsty leaves. Are my flower buds failing to open or my new growth stunted? I might be in a nutritional crisis or have been damaged by late frost. Please, look closely at my leaves, stems, and soil. Your correct diagnosis is the first step to saving my life.
If I am wilted with dry soil, I need a deep, thorough drink immediately. A light sprinkling will not help; it only wets the surface and encourages my roots to stay shallow. You must practice "deep watering." Slowly soak the soil around my base until water runs freely from the drainage holes. Ensure it penetrates at least 6-8 inches down to where my roots are. For a severe case, consider the immersion method. Place my entire pot (if I am container-grown) in a large bucket or tub filled with water and let me soak for 20-45 minutes, until my soil is saturated and air bubbles stop rising. Then, let me drain completely. I hate wet feet, so do not leave me standing in water.
My roots are my lifeline, and their environment is critical. If my soil is waterlogged and I show signs of rot, you must improve drainage immediately. For potted hydrangeas, ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes. You may need to gently remove me from the pot, inspect my roots (trimming any black, mushy ones with sterile shears), and repot me into fresh, well-draining potting mix. If I am in the ground, amend the soil around me with compost or peat moss to improve its structure. Also, apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch, like bark chips or compost, around my base. This is my blanket—it regulates soil temperature, conserves precious moisture, and adds nutrients as it breaks down. Please keep the mulch a few inches away from my main stem to prevent rot.
My location is everything. I thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade. If I am baking in full, hot sun all day, I will struggle immensely, no matter how much you water me. My large leaves lose water too quickly. Please consider providing me with some shade during the harshest afternoon hours, perhaps with a sun cloth or by transplanting me to a more suitable location in the dormant season. Once I show signs of recovery with new growth, you can offer a gentle, balanced fertilizer to aid my comeback. But please, do not fertilize me while I am in severe shock; it is like forcing a sick person to eat a large meal and will only add to my stress.
