When Should I Re-pot a Hydrangea?
3 Materials
$20
3 Hours
Easy
I've seen a few posts about cutting back hydrangeas, but nothing about re-potting them. I guess most people have them planted in-ground. Well, mine was potted, and it needed a new pot. It was already in the largest pot I could find, but it had started to wilt in the dry October weather. I was having to water it 2-3 times per week.
Then, we had a light frost, and then it started sprouting new growth.
So I decided to re-pot it. In November. But there weren't any pots large enough that I was willing to pay for, so I decided to use the half of a plastic 55 gallon drum that I had in the shed. It was originally yellow, then had been painted red about 20 years ago. (I never throw anything away.) Most of the paint had peeled off, because I hadn't used the right paint for plastic the first time. If I was planting it in my back yard, I'd probably have used it as it was, but the plant is in full view of the street, and my neighbors wouldn't have appreciated that.
Since I needed to prime it anyway, I selected a gray multi-surface primer so I wouldn't have to paint it twice.
I painted the barrel (it took 2 cans of primer to cover the writing and old paint), then let it dry. Once it was dry, I decided it needed more drainage, but not as much as removing the other plug would provide, so I drilled some holes in the bottom.
Then, I measured how much larger the barrel was by placing the old planter inside it (after gently removing the plant and setting it aside). Next I put about 5" of potting soil on the bottom of the barrel before placing the hydrangea inside. I continued filling the barrel with soil around the plant until the roots were well-covered, then gently tamped down the soil. I also watered it to prevent air pockets.
Now I can enjoy looking at my flowers without worrying about them dying in that smaller pot!
I think it turned out pretty nice, don't you?
Pot is too small.
I started with an old half barrel.
New growth and exposed roots.
I cleaned, painted, and drilled holes in it.
Re-potted the Hydrangea.
Plenty of room to grow.
Admired the finished project.
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2 comments
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You did a fantastic job, thank you for sharing with us!
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