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Hydrangea Hot Red is distinguished by its inflorescences, which look like red-pink balls. This kind of decoration will make any garden area attractive. The plant is unpretentious and has relatively high winter hardiness.
Caring for this crop is simple and even a beginner can do it.
Description of Hydrangea largeleaf Hot Red
Hydrangea Hot Red is a perennial shrub with low growth. It is rare to find plants more than 1 m high. The shape of the bush is spherical. On each of the shoots an inflorescence is formed, resembling a kind of hat. Its diameter can reach 15 cm.
Hydrangea Hot Red has a spherical crown with a diameter of up to 1 m
The central stems of the plant are directed vertically upward, and the lateral ones are characterized by an arched bend. The shoots are light green in color. The leaves of the Hot Red hydrangea are large, tightly adjacent to the stems and flowers. They have an ovoid shape with a pointed end.For its size, the bush has a good growth rate, it is about 20 cm per year.
The flowering period lasts from June to September. At the same time, those buds bloom, the buds of which were laid in the fall of the previous season. After flowering, a box is formed with several chambers containing seeds.
Hydrangea Hot Red in landscape design
Thanks to the spherical shape of the crown, Hot Red hydrangea is able to create a visual illusion, expanding the space around it. This is often used to increase the visible boundaries of small areas.
Another important advantage of the hydrangea in question is its color. The bright red hue always attracts attention.
If you need to emphasize some emphasis or distract the viewer from something, there is practically no better way to do this than with the help of Hot Red hydrangea
This culture is very popular among gardeners and designers.
Winter hardiness of hydrangea Hot Red
Large-leaved hydrangea Hot Red belongs to plants with frost hardiness zone 6b. This means that it can withstand temperatures down to -20°C. In areas with mild winters, you can not cover the bushes at all or limit yourself to protecting the roots (a hill of earth 20-30 cm high). In harsher climates, the branches of the bush should also be insulated.
Planting and caring for Hot Red hydrangea
In order for Hot Red hydrangea to fully realize its potential, you must follow all the rules for planting and caring for it. It is necessary to take into account all the factors influencing flowering: the method of planting, the composition of the soil, and proper care of the plant.
Selection and preparation of a landing site
It would be preferable to plant Hot Red hydrangea in partial shade, and it is desirable that the plant be in the shade at midday, when the heat from the sun's rays is maximum. The ideal option is the east side of the house. Thanks to this, the bush will be in the sun for half a day, and with the onset of midday heat it will go into the shade.
It is best to place the plant on the east side of the house
The mineral composition of the soil is also important. The soil must be acidic: this is what gives Hot Red hydrangea its unique color. On neutral soils it becomes faded; on alkaline soils the plant may not bloom at all. The optimal soil for Hot Red hydrangea is clay or one with a high humus content.
Preliminary soil preparation consists of applying a fertilizer consisting of three components before planting: superphosphate, urea and potassium sulfate. Fertilizers are added to the soil that will be sprinkled on the seedling during planting. The standards are determined according to the instructions.
Landing rules
The best time to plant young seedlings in the garden is spring. Autumn is a compromise, since the young plant will not survive the first winter without the formation of the vegetative part.
When planting, you can use previously sprouted cuttings, but only after two years have passed since their roots appeared (before planting, they are germinated in a special substrate). If you use purchased seedlings, they should first be inspected for defects in the root system and the number of buds on them.The roots of Hot Red hydrangea should not be overdried, flexible and elastic.
Planting pits are located at a distance of at least 1.5 m from each other. The dimensions of the pit are 50x50x40 cm. To create hedges, trenches with a width of 50 cm to 1 m are used. The holes should be dug at least 3 months before planting, that is, for spring planting they should be prepared at the end of autumn.
A drainage layer is placed at the bottom of the holes, on top of which garden soil or a small (up to 5 cm) layer of humus is placed. Next, a low mound is formed above this layer, on top of which a seedling is placed. Its root collar should be at ground level.
The roots of the seedling are evenly distributed over the mound and sprinkled with pre-prepared soil mixture. After which it is lightly compacted and watered.
Watering and fertilizing
Hydrangea Hot Red is a moisture-loving plant, so special attention should be paid to watering. Under normal conditions, watering should occur at intervals of 2 weeks. In dry weather, the time between waterings is reduced to one week; in rainy weather, they are guided by the condition of the top layer of soil - it should not be dry. The norm is 1 bucket of water per bush.
For irrigation, use warm water to which 3 g of potassium permanganate is added. This additive performs a preventive function and protects the plant from fungal diseases. Watering is carried out in the morning or evening.
Hydrangea Hot Red has a high growth rate, so fertilizing, especially for young plants, is mandatory. The first is carried out until the end of June; it consists of ammonium or potassium sulfate.To do this, 30 g of the substance is dissolved in 10 liters of water. The frequency of application is 14 days.
Specialized fertilizers for hydrangea depend on its color
The second is produced from July to October; it is based on complex fertilizers, in which phosphorus predominates. Approximate composition: 70 g of superphosphate and 45 g of potassium sulfate are dissolved in 10 liters of water. The frequency is similar to the first one - 14 days. Before the onset of winter, apply the last fertilizer from humus with the addition of bone meal.
Pruning hydrangea Hot Red
The plant is classified in the first pruning group. This means that the flower stalks of the Hot Red hydrangea are formed on last year’s shoots. Consequently, the plant requires cosmetic and sanitary pruning, performed in the spring before sap flow begins. The plant is not cut off entirely, but only rejuvenated: every fourth shoot older than 3 years is removed.
At the end of autumn, faded inflorescences must be cut off.
If this is not done, the branches may break under the weight of the snow cover. In addition, all shoots growing inside the bush should be removed.
Preparing for winter
Preparing Hot Red hydrangea for winter occurs after autumn pruning and involves insulating the bush depending on weather conditions. In mild climates, only sprinkle soil on the base of the plant, protecting the root system from frost.
Insulation of hydrangea branches using an external frame
In colder climates, branches are also insulated.Unlike other varieties of hydrangea, Hot Red is not laid on the ground, but a standing shelter is built around the bush (for example, by making its frame out of steel mesh). In this case, the bush is tied into a bundle using twine, and the space between the branches and the frame is filled with straw or leaves. The outside of the entire structure is wrapped with plastic film.
Reproduction
Propagation of Hot Red hydrangea is carried out mainly by vegetative methods. Seeds are practically not used, since the formation of an adult flowering bush requires a lot of time and effort.
Main methods of reproduction:
- cuttings;
- layering;
- dividing the bush.
The first method is most often used as the most effective. Cuttings are cut from last year's shoots, 15 cm long, so that they have at least two buds. The formation of roots in water or substrate occurs within several weeks, after which they should be grown in a separate container for two years to form seedlings ready for planting in open ground.
Cutting a large root during vegetative propagation is one of the most accessible methods
Reproduction by layering and dividing the Hot Red hydrangea bush is carried out according to standard methods. The optimal time for this is early spring.
Diseases and pests
In general, Hot Red hydrangea has a fairly high level of immunity and is able to cope with diseases and pests on its own. However, changes in environmental conditions, excessive moisture or dryness, or the absence of any nutritional component can weaken the bush's resistance.
In dry weather, the plant can be attacked by spider mites. Its symptoms are the appearance of cobwebs on the underside of leaves.In this case, yellowing of parts of the plant is observed, followed by their drying out and falling off. In this case, the bush should be sprayed with insecticides, for example, Actellik.
Leaves affected by spider mites have cobwebs on their surface
If oily spots appear on the leaves, turning yellow over time and then turning black, this means that the bush is attacked by downy mildew. To combat it, spraying with copper-containing preparations is used (copper sulfate 3%, Bordeaux mixture 1%, etc.)
Downy mildew requires immediate treatment
In cold and wet weather, the plant may be affected by rust - the appearance of small round brown spots on the leaves. Spraying the bush with copper sulfate also helps prevent this disease.
Rust often develops on weakened seedlings
Conclusion
Hydrangea Hot Red is a relatively unpretentious shrub with a spherical crown and beautiful large inflorescences of a bright red hue. It is widely used in landscape design due to its decorative effect. Caring for Hot Red hydrangea is simple and quite within the capabilities of novice gardeners. The plant has good winter hardiness and resistance to diseases and pests.
