| Hi, I bought an endless ummer Hydrangea this spring and planted it on my patio in a container and it has grown massively this summer. It bloomed a lot earlier and then slowed down in August. Throughout our very rainy Oct it was very thick and bushy with bright green leaves. Last week I was away and it didn't rain too much so it wilted. (Our Sept was very hot, Oct was very wet, and Nov has been unseasonably warm). I soaked it and it recovered except that the inner leaves turned yellow with brown spots, with some drying up and falling off. The outer leaves look ok, but its much thinner and the inner leaves look weak, yellow and unhealthy. Is it ok, what should I do? Thanks, Nancy |
| To some extent this is probably seasonal in that the plant is going to slow down and go dormant. Wilting does stress the plant (as does overwatering) and weaken it so some may be stress related, too. This late in the season there is not much you can do one way or the other except keep the soil slightly damp but not sopping wet. In case there is the start of a fungal problem, make sure to clean up all of the fallen foliage once the plant has gone dormant. This would help prevent any carryover to next season. I should mention you will also have to protect your plant for the winter, either by planting it in the ground in a very sheltered location or by bringing it into a sheltered place such as an unheated garage. Frost will not hurt it but you must prevent the rootball freezing. Although root hardy in your area, it needs special care if being grown in a container. Good luck with your hydrangea! |
