Young Bavaria hydrangeas planted - Sunlight/heat query

matz1

Good Afternoon All,

Keen watcher of gardeners world and fell in love with the Petals from the Bavaria Hydrangea plants.. I've brought two which have both been planted in half whiskey casks and will play about with the acidity of both soils next year.

My main question/worry is that both of these were brought from T&M in 10.5CM pots and have grown nicely so far, they're both 19cm/22cm tall and have been moved into a spot that currently always has shade due to the over hanging trees/wall it's up against. I'm always keeping the soil moist around root level and i'm wondering if I need to move this into a more sunny spot... With all the hot weather we've been having lately, I'm thinking would this do more harm than good to the youngsters? Baring in mind each of the garden usually receives around 4 maybe 6 hours tops of direct sunlight on a clear day, pretty sad about that but over hanging conker trees (TPO) is stopping that.


I'd greatly appreciate your help with finding out if during these hot temperatures i'm doing the right thing or should this be repositioned for some direct sunlight.

Thank you!
Matthew

Fairygirl

Shade for them. Don't put them in a sunny site, especially when they're so tiny.
They'd have been better in smaller pots for now until they've got a good, big root system, and then moved into the bigger pot. It'll take a while for them to be any size.
 
Then they'll suddenly outgrow those barrels

matz1

Thank you! I thought that would be the case but was alittle wary.. with Photosynthesis and all that jazz.

Do you think I should repot them into smaller pots lets say half the size and then move them into these before the winter or early next spring? Or just let them grow where they currently are? 

I know these are pretty hardy plants too and wondering if I should fleese them over the frost periods?

Fairygirl

They'll probably be fine in there, but putting tiny plants into big pots full of compost/soil can sometimes cause problems when watering. The root systems aren't big enough to absorb all the water easily, so fine roots can get waterlogged.
One thing that is worth doing is putting something under the pots, so that excess water can get away. It can be bricks or bits of timber if you don't have proprietary pot feet. Always a good idea when they're on a solid surface.

Hydrangeas don't need protection from any winter weather 

steephill

I would put a lot more soil/compost into those containers, lift the plants add soil and replant. You only need an inch or so between the rim and soil level for watering and the more soil beneath for the plants to get their roots into the better. That will also help with moisture levels - more soil to absorb more water.

matz1

that's great to know about protection.. was just abit worried with them being young plants.

Tons of drainage holes + broken pots at the bottom, both barrels stand off the ground by an inch by it's rim.. Should be enough hopefully.
Appreciate both posts, I'll crack another bag of ericaceous  and top them up.

Have a great day guys =]

Fairygirl

That's great that you have them off the ground - it just didn't look clear in the pic

I'm sure they'll be fine - tough plants, and they'll get going well next year