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#34179 August 29th, 2005 at 10:45 AM
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Hi! I've been visiting this website for years and I just joined the forum.
I'm from Connecticut and am a pretty miserable gardener but I am fairly decent with house plants.
I have a question regarding a hydrangea I've had in my garden for about 5 years.
I was advised to cut it all the way back in the fall. Last year I read that was a bad idea and that the plant would not bloom under those circumstances.
So, last fall I didn't cut it back.
This summer, the foliage was beautiful but not a single flower appeared.
Any suggestions?

#34180 August 29th, 2005 at 10:51 AM
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Hi Tattooeed wink Glad you decided to join us! It sounds like you have a type of hydrangea that blooms on old wood. There are some that will bloom on new growth, and some that will bloom on last years growth. If you're pruning in the fall, and it's not flowering the next year I'm thinkin that's why wink Hope that helps! thumbup

#34181 August 29th, 2005 at 10:52 AM
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Oh, PS! Here's a link to some hydrangea pruning tips wink

#34182 August 29th, 2005 at 10:57 AM
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I'm confused.

Should I prune the plant this fall or just leave it alone, wait until spring and then hit it with some good plant food?

Thanks for your help.

#34183 August 29th, 2005 at 09:07 PM
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Did you know which variety you have????

Here's a quote from Bill's info...
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Pruning and blooming
Hydrangeas only flower on on the tips of new growth, so you can remove any stems which have already bloomed. The French Hydrangea (Hydrangea macrophylla) flowers from buds formed on new growth produced the previous year, so pruning of this variety should be done immediately after blooming in early summer. Other varieties of Hydrangea should be pruned in late fall or early spring.The entire plant may be cut back to the ground if it becomes to large, because it will quickly regrow to it's prior size, and begin blooming again.
More than likely, you'd wait until spring,
*March~April* and trim them up....

And WELCOME to The Garden Helper's Forum,
We're VERY GLAD you joined up...

#34184 August 30th, 2005 at 11:03 AM
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No, I don't know which variety I have.
I'll take your advice and give it a haircut in the spring.
Thanks and have a great day! wink

#34185 August 30th, 2005 at 11:20 AM
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Just my 2 cents. I would leave the plant alone for two years. No cutting at all. If it blooms after the two years you know you have one that blooms on previous year growth.

If you keep cutting on the plant it will never bloom because what is growing this year to bloom next year you are cutting off.

If it is one that blooms on Previous year growth (all that growth you are getting now) and you do not cut it this year or next spring you will have blooms next summer.

#34186 September 5th, 2005 at 07:47 AM
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I think that pretty sound advice. I'm not going to touch it. I'll just keep my fingers crossed and see what happens.
Perhaps if I sent it some Reiki energy, it might decide to bloom for me.
Thanks for your help.
I hope everyone is enjoying their Labor Day weekend. clp

#34187 September 6th, 2005 at 06:04 AM
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Thank you. I have had a great Labor Day weekend.

My other thought of your plant is winter kill if it is one that is prior year growth bloom. I have heard of people wrapping the plant in bulap or a garbage bag stuffed with leaves around the bush to protect it from the freezing ice and snow.

#34188 September 12th, 2005 at 01:31 AM
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I'd be more than happy to wrap up my hydrangea in a coat during the winter months!
I don't know what this winter has in store for CT, but last year was horrific ~~ TONS of snow.
I'll give it a shot. Thanks for all this great advice.
Have a great week, everyone grinnnn


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