A couple years ago I bought a few mail-order fashion that have the same problem. And yes, one is Pia. It's actually comical, because the little thing will produce a 4" branch or two with 1" leaves a (no joke) 2" wide bloom containing just a handful of florets. Water, sun, fertilizer, nothing worked. Next stop: compost pile!

I think they bonsai'd themselves!

I'd rather pay $50 for a 7-gallon than sit and watch water boil. Maybe if I fill their pots with water they will boil in this heat we're supposed to get in a couple days.

Springwood you just made my day... bonsai themselves... ironically I also grow bonsai... so thanks for a new specimen that won't need all the wiring and pruning...lol

Well, I decided last night to move them to the far corner of my yard and let them be, why fuss with them when I can have larger ones sooner. Meanwhile we are getting ready for our own boiling water period... they forecast 100F tomorrow for Indy... that's crazy! I will have to water my hydrangeas a couple times tomorrow. Where is the rain???

I have propagated many reblooming Macs from cuttings. I have never over wintered them in pots before. Sometimes they stay small for the 1st full season in the ground. But always by the 2nd full season in the ground they take off. My thoughts are the sooner they are in the ground, the better they will adapt to their new surroundings. Sounds like the Pia though might just be slow to grow and not a prime candidate for cuttings.

I cannot speak to your particular hydrangea. But there is an old saying about plants, in general, that often applies: The first year they sleep, the second year they creep, and the third year they leap! If you can remain patient, which, I know, is difficult, you may be coming into "leap"! :) Let us know if they do better this year.

Carol in Jacksonville

This post was edited by love_the_yard on Thu, Apr 25, 13 at 20:48