It's a small try by my side to help the students of horticultural sciences and share some of my knowledge with them.
I really think that it's the need of hour to aware our youth about the climate change and importance of different aesthetic plants that are helpful for betterment of our environment and also be source of income for them.
2. Introduction
• About 45-60 million years old plant.
• In 18th century introduced in Europe.
• A very popular commercial ornamental plant.
• Native to Asia and Americas
• Great diversity can be found in Japan, Korea
and notably in China
• Mostly shrub 1-3meters
• Lianas can go 30meters climbing with trees
3. BOTANICAL
DESCRIPTION
Hydrangea:
• Hydrangea macrophylla (thunb)
• Hydrangea hortensis Sm.
About 75 species
Hydrangeaceae
Greek words
• Hudor means water
• Angeion or angos means vessel
Has a varieties of colors i.e; blue, pink, etc
Single plants has different colors of flowers
5. Uses
• Used as cut flower
• Used as bedding plant
• Used in mixed border.
• Perennials and can be annuals.
• Flowers are easily air dried and long lasting.
• Has some antiallergic and antimicrobial effects.
• Hydrangeic acid form leaves has anti diabetic
drugs.
• In Japan use as symbol of apology.
• In Japan ama-cha a sweet tea used extracted
from hydrangea
• Use as soil pH indicator shows blue color in
acidic and more pink color in basic soils.
6. Classification
• Classified into two main groups
a) Mopheads:
The classic, fully round globes of
florets.
b) Lacecaps:
More saucer-shaped inflorescence,
with a halo of larger florets ringing
a central disc of tiny ones.
7. Soil and
Climatic
Requirements
Soil:
Well drained but moist fertile soils
High organic matter and compost
pH:
Should be 6.0-6.2
Above this it faces iron deficiency
Temperature:
For most of cultivars optimal temperature ranges
from 15-18 C.
Light:
Do best in partial shades
Direct afternoon light is not good
8. Cultural
Requirements
Fertilization:
Apply gypsum before plantation
Balance fertilizers recommended as
10:10:10 as N:P:K
Consider fertilizers with more phosphorus
will result better
Irrigation:
3 times a week usually as it require more
moisture
And can be change according to the
weather conditions
9. Propagation
• Cuttings:
• Hydrangeas mostly propagated through the
cuttings with the success rate of 89%
• Use the rooting hormone before planting the
cuttings
• Layering:
• Can be easily grow by layering methods
• By Water culture:
• Can be propagated by the cuttings by keeping in
water just care about no leaf drown in water.
• Can also propagated by Seed.
10. Harvesting and
Post-
Harvest Handlings
• Harvest only mature hydrangeas
• Should be fully opened and colored
• As cut flowers harvested at three different stages as
required or demanded by consumers
Depend on colors of bracts: fresh, transition and
antique
• Can be harvested from August till October
• Only harvest the stems having leathery petals not
older that turns brown
• Don’t place stems on ground while harvesting
• Keep them immediately in water after harvesting to
avoid from wilting
• Vase life is about 7 to 15 days and very depend on
handling practices
• Very sensitive to ethylene.
11. Post-harvest
Disorders
• Easy wilting:
Easily get witlings if a little fluctuations
in temperature or hydrator solution
• Botrytis cinerea:
Problematic postharvest pathogen cause
immediate devaluation of cut hydrangea