What have we done wrong? We didn't cut our hydrangeas back at all last fall, and have fertilized them twice, but there are very few blossom heads forming. DH has been diligent about watering them in the last few rainless weeks. Would bloom food do any good at this point, or is it too late? Are there any resident hydrangea-heads hanging out at the forum?
Hydrangeas with few blossom heads
What type of hydrangeas? What did you fertilize them with? How much sun?
They were pass-me-downs, so don't have a name, but they're just the old-fashioned ones you see everywhere. They're in the same high shade area they were in last year when they gave us lotsa blooms. Same fertilizer, too, 10-10-10. I'm thinking bloom food, but don't want to waste it if the plants aren't capable of setting any more blossoms. There are seven large plants here, so it would be a buncha food. Anyway, I'm open to suggestion! Sheila
At this point, I don't know. If you didn't cut them back in the fall, they should have set the blossoms and be in full bloom. If you spray them with Messenger, you will in all probability see a huge difference next year.
Carmen
Uh-oh. What's Messenger?
Soup, you may be able to find Messenger at your local seed/feed store.........there used to be one in Jonesboro. I saw it at our's here in Barnesville and it is $$$$$$$, a box contains enough to make 3 gallons and will cost about $10. It is a "magic potion" and when you start "surfing" the threads you will see the number of folks that use it. Once mixed with water, you apply it to the leaf surface of your plants with a sprayer and it has to be used within 3-4 hours of mixing. It can also be found if you go to the Midga roundup threads you will find a link there.
A note on fertilizer.....for blooms you want one with a high middle number.
Thanks, bunches, for the info. I've been spending a lot of time here, so I will definitely check it out. Sheila