ES large blooms fallen over

15 years ago

Is this typical? Should I add some support? Here's what happened & what it looks like:

I planted my ES last year (late summer/early spring). Covered w/6" of mulch. Came back great this year. Stems about 2-3' tall (pre-bloom).

It bloomed great - gorgeous, many many blooms (compared to how it was - about 4 blooms - when I planted it last year). It was looking beautiful & lush (about 3-4' diameter, and on the short side, maybe 2-3' tall).

About 2 wks ago, got a heavy thunderstorm (even tho the ES is planted near the house w/some protection). All the nice long stems w/blooms fell toward the outside perimeter.

I assumed they would "bounce" back up when the sunshine came, but they didn't. The "middle" that was created by the bloom stems falling to the outside perimeter is full of lush green tender growth (no buds).

Is this normal? Should I let it be & new growth w/eventually create new buds? Thanks,

All the Best, Tree

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Comments (5)

luis_pr
15 years ago
It happens when the stems are very young and cannot hold much weight. Winds and wet bloomage can cause this.

I am not sure if those new stems in the middle will produce bloomage this year though. I think you have a chance but it is starting to get late in the growing season. My instinct says ES should have at least one more set of blooms before going dormant... But your new stems would have to grow long enough to produce flowering buds prior to dormancy. About when will hydrangeas go dormant where you live? September? October? ? ?
ditas
15 years ago
Hi Tree - I too, had same problem with one of my ES ... had to resort to staking as I didn't want to risk blossoms to get damaged by laying & getting spattered with mud. I Used 4 green-bamboo stakes, corralled with gardening jute or p-hose/nylon stockings, work well as they give & won't hurt the young canes.

This particular ES has a few 6"x6" size blossoms. The other ES didn't need any corralling even with all the storms (tornado grade) we've had - blossoms were a bit smaller. I wish there's a way to get those canes as hefty as the F&E - blooms as big as 10"x8" - so far no staking needed.

Good luck & enjoy your blossoms!
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ego45
15 years ago
New stems may or may not bloom this year on your ES, but whatever happened is happened for good.
When plant opens it center for the new growth new canes will grow in an upright fashion and create strong vertical, not crooked stems, which will be strong enough to hold heavy blooms for the next season.
Let it be and Ma-nature will take care of the rest.
In a mean time you may cut those flowers that are laying on a ground for indoor enjoyment :-))
treeinnj
Original Author
15 years ago
Cool! Thanks!
ditas
15 years ago
Gee thank you George - there, indeed, are thicker canes in the center of the bush! Â:) - I'll perhaps protect 1 over winter & dare the other, to compare in '09.
Still wonder what'll happen to the thicker center canes in '09 if they die back?

ES large blooms fallen over

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ES large blooms fallen over

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