I've got a Hydrangea paniculata Sundae Fraise growing in a 3L pot and want to pot it on to a bigger pot. Is there any special kind of potting mix i should be using.
Sundae Fraise is not really a pot subject... its smaller sibling Vanille Fraise is better suited. You will need a LARGE pot for this baby... just pot it on to 5 to 10 l pot for now, but in the end (soon) you'll need a tub (or a dwarfer variety). You don't need to add fertilizer at the beginning if you use good compost, but you will need it later on, say next spring (unless you pot it on again, which you probably should).
If you fertilize now it will promote lots of lush growth that will not harden before winter and will get frosted. Not the end of the world, since the paniculata kind of Hydrangea will grow like the blazes from short stumps, but it's a waste.
Most Hyd. prefer somewhat peaty compost, but with the paniculata kind you have a much freer hand, because they are very tolerant. I'd follow the advice some posts above and go with a decent, heavy-ish soil based compost; they grow big, and flop over easily in high winds if they are planted in light weight pots and compost. Plus they drink quite a bit, and a sil based compost retains water better.
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A soil based one would be best.
John Innes No 3 should do the trick.
Verdun is right in that it would be happier in the ground but not everyone has the space.
That's my problem, i have limited space. I brought it to have it potted and keep it dwarf looking if you get me.
A sort of semi bonsai hydrangea.
I kept a hydrangea in a large pot for a few years and it was fine, but it eventually got away from me and had to be given its freedom.
Should i add some Fish Blood & Bone when potting or not?.
Sundae Fraise is not really a pot subject... its smaller sibling Vanille Fraise is better suited. You will need a LARGE pot for this baby... just pot it on to 5 to 10 l pot for now, but in the end (soon) you'll need a tub (or a dwarfer variety). You don't need to add fertilizer at the beginning if you use good compost, but you will need it later on, say next spring (unless you pot it on again, which you probably should).
If you fertilize now it will promote lots of lush growth that will not harden before winter and will get frosted. Not the end of the world, since the paniculata kind of Hydrangea will grow like the blazes from short stumps, but it's a waste.
Most Hyd. prefer somewhat peaty compost, but with the paniculata kind you have a much freer hand, because they are very tolerant. I'd follow the advice some posts above and go with a decent, heavy-ish soil based compost; they grow big, and flop over easily in high winds if they are planted in light weight pots and compost. Plus they drink quite a bit, and a sil based compost retains water better.
Thanks for the info