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chrisfra30

lone survivor

chrisfra30
10 years ago

My name is chris and im 30 and my childhood home just burned to the ground a few months ago. Everyone was fine no pets or anyone in the house and the insurance claim went smoothly. But my mothers favorite hydrangea bush was right next to the house and didn't make it. She's now out of state staying with family but I'm still in the area. I took some of the remains of the bush and tried to take cuttings so it would survive. My mothers a huge gardener and i know it would mean a lot to her Unfortunately I have the opposite of a green thumb (i call it an agent orange thumb) so it did not survive. Then the other day I looked in the pot i had tried to propagate the cuttings in and I saw a survivor!!!! I attached a picture of the little sprout and ever since i found it i just left it alone outside. Im up in new jersey and the weathers getting colder now and I need any advice on how to keep this thing alive. PLEASE HELP!!!!!

Comments (4)

  • luis_pr
    10 years ago

    What a nice surprise! Looks like the roots are still alive and it put a shoot. What kind of hydrangea is it supposed to be?

    Other than adding some mulch, giving it the same care it had before (ask your mother how often she watered it, how often she fertilized it, what fertilizer she used and how much she used), I would do nothing else.

    Bring it inside when it goes dormant and the leaves dry out. Once in a protected garage or shed, water it once every two weeks or so. Take it outside when Spring temps arrive.

    If you insert a finger into the soil to a depth of 3" or and it feels dry or almost dry, water it. I normally water a little bit, wait for the water to drain and water some more.

    Keep it in a location where it gets morning sun, afternoon shade and some protection from wind if the area is windy (the wind can dry out the soil faster than if placed in non-windy areas).

    Potted plants need water more often. And all the watering makes the nutrients leach out so they need to be fertilized more often too. During the growing season, I would fertilize but during the winter months I would not. If you water and fertilize as often as she used to when she was in the house, you could give her the plant for Mother's Day or some other special occasion. But if you are panicky of killing it, just drive over to her now, give it to her now and let her take care of it as she used to do!!! Ha!

  • odie96
    10 years ago

    Your Mother is blessed to have such a thoughtful daughter. I know she will be happy with your efforts even if the hydrangea does not survive. I believe deep in my heart that it will.

  • gardenapprentice
    10 years ago

    you should also not add any fert, can you see any buds at the base of the leaves? hopefully you put it inside so it can grow better and harden off

  • October_Gardens
    10 years ago

    Yep, store in a sheltered location in winter and keep the soil somewhat moist.

    Also, for a hydrangea that small, you should keep it growing in that size pot for approximately 3 years before planting in the ground. This will help it achieve size before it's subjected to stresses of winter. Until planted, the pot should be put outside after last frost and as Luis said, taken back to shelter right after the leaves fall off in the Fall. When outside, keep the pot in a semi-shaded area (50/50) and keep the soil moist.