There plants that are physically simpleboth in its leaves and in its structure and flowers. But there are others within the hydrangea family that attract too much attention and become a plant worth having in a garden and admiring when it is in its flowering season.
These are the hydrangeas and today we will talk about the diseases that these beautiful plants suffer throughout their lives. At the end, you will understand that it is a species that requires constant care, as well as maintenance in order to prevent the various diseases or pests from seriously affecting them.
Hydrangeas general data
But before getting started on the topic, we want to tell you a little about this species of acidophilic plantsin case you do not know it yet and have only heard it from others. When talking about hydrangeas, it is difficult to talk about just one plant or species itselfsince there are a good variety of them that are known internationally as “musical hydrangeas. What most characterizes these plants are the hue of their flowers, which varies greatly depending on the species of hydrangea.
These plants they are small shrubs that are known for their colorful intensity of their flowers as well we commented. It is perhaps this, one of the main reasons why it is often seen a lot in gardens
In fact, they are often used for landscaping reasons, since they tend to change the environment where they are completely planted. And just as there are hydrangeas with very strong shades in their flowers, there are also a little more opaque. It is as if nature itself takes your tastes into account and allows you to choose.
A curious fact about these plants is that when they begin to pass the flowering stage, you can see a change of tonality in them. At the end they end up losing intensity in the color of its flowers and die to make way for the next flowering.
Features
As expected, you will always have at your disposal a flower with a different hue than a neighbor who also has hydrangeas planted in his garden. If you wonder how there can be so much difference in terms of shades, this is due to the pH level in the soil.
This means that according to the pH levels, the color of the hydrangea flowers will change accordingly. For example, in soils or substrates whose pH is at an acid level or between 4.5 and 5, rest assured that the flowers once they develop, they will be blue.
On the other hand, with alkaline soils whose pH is 6 to 7hydrangea flowers will tend to have a pink hue. And for soils with a pH around 8, the flowers will be white.
As for its flowering, you should know that hydrangeas begin to open when spring is beginning and its duration is until the end of autumn. So you have plenty of time to take advantage of all its splendor and take some photos of nature.
Diseases and pests
These plants they will be able to have very beautiful flowers and some precious leaves for the vast majoritybut if they are not given the necessary care and maintenance.
Among the diseases that can affect this plant are:
Armillary fungi
This is one of the fungus-like diseases that are the most lethal for this particular plant. It is generated by humidity, when the substrate does not have the ability to drain the irrigation water well and this brings the appearance of armillaria, which is a type of fungus caused by its presence.
These are microorganisms that when they start to take advantage of the hydrangeas, they begin a slow but steady rotting process right on the flower stalks. The good news is that it is very easy and fast to detect the problem.
You can see it with the naked eye when the leaves that are close to the flowers and the flowers themselves begin to wilt when there is no apparent reason. This will cause the plant to lose its ability to recover in a very short time.
So yes it is a problem that you have to deal with as soon as possible And you can’t let time pass It is for this reason that it is considered the most terrible hydrangea disease that can suffer.
Leaf spots
You also have to look at the integrity and the surface of the plant’s leaves.. It happens that sometimes you are begin to develop small grayish-brown spots. If you do notice it, the plant itself is telling you that it has contracted a disease.
As for the origin of these spots, may be due to different types of fungiwhich generally affect these plants when summer is ending and when autumn is beginning.
It’s funny how this hydrangea disease causes the flowers to not die. You will think that it is a good thing, but the truth is that it is not. It is a fungus that disrupts the plant’s process and it is not normal for it to be in bloom beyond the allowed season.
Mites
As well as the Mites live quietly in the comfort of your bed without you getting to find out or affect yourself, the case for plants is very different. It is more, it is considered the number one enemy of these plantssince it is one of the pests that has the most negative impact on hydrangeas.
It is not a joke when we tell you that the mere presence of mites is something to worry about. Once they are able to settle on the plant, they will begin to prevent the growth process of the leaves and the shoots from not growing as they should.
One way to avoid it is water the plant regularly when it is in summer and prune them when you think it is necessary. If neither method works, you will have to opt for the use of pesticides.
Snails or slugs
This is already a factor that depends a lot on the humidity and temperature in a garden, as well as the conditions of the substrate and the type of vegetation that exists. There are certain criteria for the snails and the slugs start to appear.
Some people don’t mind having them in their garden, but keep in mind that if you have hydrangeas in your garden, no matter what variety it is, this little animal will start feeding on them mainly.
You will be able to detect that it is snails and slugsthanks to the state of the leaves. Of course, when you have detected it, start by applying the necessary measures, but that do not damage the integrity of the plant itselfso that instead of damaging them, you can favor them.
