blue hydrangeas, beautiful flowers, being, moreover, its highly valued plant for the most elegant gardens. Originally from Asia, from which there are a variety of shades. However, the blue is the most relevant. Apart they are arranged in trees, lianas and even bushes. Discover them here.
blue hydrangeas
blue hydrangeas, belonging to the genus “Hydrangea”, are native to Asia. They are characterized by having a flowering, which is the way in which the flowers appear on the plants, since the beginning of spring. Then they spend the whole summer and stay until the end of autumn. The way they are visualized is through groups, resembling branches at the ends of the stems.
The size of the flower is medium, being able to appreciate hydrangea colors, in shades such as white and pink, being the most important, request and search, the blue hydrangeas. Part of these motifs is the alluring tone, which, in its own way, is completely unusual in nature. It should be noted that their coloration is according to the pH of the substrate or Types of soil in which it is cultivated. Where:
- If the pH ranges between 4,5 and 5, which is allusive to acid soils, the bloom is blue.
- For pH between 6 and 6,5, which refers to more alkaline soils, a pink-colored bloom is obtained.
- While, for a pH of 8, which is a completely alkaline soil, the bloom is white.
Blue hydrangeas acquire the hue of that color, thanks to the accumulation of aluminum that happens to them due to the type of acid soil. Cataloging as one of the few plants to have that virtue. A noteworthy fact is that obtaining this coloration is possible, in all soils, by changing or altering the pH of the substrate where it is going to be planted. On the other hand, the blue hydrangea plants, like the other shades, include trees, lianas and even shrubs.
Etymology of Hydrangeas
Its name "Hydrangea" comes from Greek words, from which the meaning of:
- Hydra = Water
- gea = Glass of Water or Vase
This in allusion to the very peculiar way of it, which resembles a cup.
Blue Hydrangea Taxonomy
A las blue hydrangeas they are accompanied by a genus exhibited or specified by the Swedish zoologist, naturalist and botanist, Carlos Linnaeus. Which appears published in its first volume "Species Plantarum", in the year 1753. Being taxonomically associated with the type species "Hydrangea arborencens". Also having the following data:
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Order: Cornales
- Family: Hydrangeaceae
- Subfamily: Hydrangeoideae
- Tribe: Hydrangeae
Meaning of blue hydrangeas
The meanings associated with the blue hydrangeas they have a certain opposite way. Some relate the coloration of its blue tone to:
- Harmony
- Love
- Felicidad
- Affected
- Trust
While others, because it is a plant that usually likes to flourish in areas of notable humidity, apart from poor lighting, they attribute negative meanings to it, such as:
- Insensitivity
- Vanity
On the other hand, receiving this flower as a gift, is awarded the request for an apology or the end of a union. Where to finish with all these found attributes, many choose this beautiful flower to adorn significant events such as weddings. Becoming even the flower that adorns the bride's bouquet.
Cultivation of blue hydrangeas
To perform the action of plant hydrangeas blue, in an easy, basic and elemental way, is by means of cuttings. Taking a cutting, it is the name given to the stem or bud, which follows the technique of being introduced into the substrate. Resulting in this coming to reproduce in a new plant. The ideal time to execute it is during the spring or autumn season, so that the plant is not affected. In which the optimal way to grow is to follow the following simple steps:
- Condition the substrate by using an appropriate fertilizer.
- Verify that the soil maintains good drainage. If you don't have the same, you can help the substrate with peat, which is extremely effective to reach it.
- Take into account that in order for the substrate to provide blue hydrangeas, it must have an acidic pH.
- Open a hole corresponding to the size of the cutting to be planted.
- Introduce the cutting, spray it with water, cover the hole and water it again, to achieve complete humidity.
- It is necessary that the initial days keep the substrate only moist and continuously drained.
Essential care of blue hydrangeas
blue hydrangeas, like any other plant, needs essential care to keep it in perfect condition, being what corresponds to this plant the following:
Location
In order for the blue hydrangea plant to remain healthy, prosperous and with beautiful flowers, it must be established in a site that provides a balanced temperature. Just as it has incidence of light, but also shadow. All this, because the plant has a preference for moderate environments, that is, with a temperature that is neither too high nor too low. Where, in addition, the ventilation is adequate and not excessive.
Irrigation
The blue hydrangea plant must be irrigated to satisfy the humidity of the substrate without flooding. because she needs the Humidity every time. Taking into account at all times that the drainage must be perfect. It should be noted that for the summer season it is possible that the plant even needs to be sprayed on the flowers to provide them with cooling.
Pruning
Complete pruning of plants blue hydrangeas, must be executed annually, in which in addition to removing the damaged parts, it will be allowed to continue with a controlled, balanced or moderate growth. Besides, pruning must be carried out, every time wilted flowers are observed, where they are located and in the dry leaves, if any. Because this offers the plant a stimulus for the subsequent or following flowering.
Fertilizer
A natural and efficient way to fertilize the plants of blue hydrangeas, is by placing the remains of coffee powder or also called coffee grounds on the substrate. Where would be carrying out the recycling of the same. However, if you prefer more efficient and accelerated elements, you can choose:
- Ammonium sulphate
- Aluminum sulfate
- elemental sulfur
Tips for the inflorescence of blue hydrangeas
When the event of the little inflorescence becomes visible, the need arises to what to do to make hydrangeas bloom. In this sense, the following variables must be verified, which, although they do not seem so, influence the flowering of the plant. Which are part of the best tips to reverse it, these being the following:
- Remember, first of all, that all blue hydrangea plants and other shades must have reached full maturity for them to bloom. Bearing that the plants normally take between 2 and up to 5 years to achieve it.
- It is essential that the substrate remains moist, without waterlogging. Which means it must have good drainage.
- For your environment to be optimal, it must have both lighting and shade. In which the solar incidence is moderate.
- Do not use excessive fertilizers, because the plant wastes its energy in providing large, green and beautiful leaves. While when he reaches the flourish, it turns out that he already had little energy to carry it out.
- Excessive wind is not palatable to them, so it should be checked.
- A bad pruning of the plant blue hydrangeas, is detrimental to them, both in growth and in flowering. This is because you can handle the removal of the shoots before they have ripened.
Modification of the pH of the substrate to obtain blue hydrangeas
The way in which the modification of the substrate must be carried out, which gives it the necessary acidity and thus obtain the blue hydrangeas is by using fertilizers that have a considerable potassium content and a very low phosphorous and nitrogen content. On the other hand, it may be necessary to add acidifying fertilizers such as:
- potassium sulfate
- Ammonium nitrate
- Ammonium sulfate, among others.
If it is observed that it is necessary to intensify the color even more, because it has not been achieved, it can be added and complemented with aluminum sulfate.