My potted hydrangea is wilting :(

[allyf92]

Got a gorgeous hydrangea about a week and half ago and potted it in John Innes repotting soil and a medium sized terracotta pot about a week ago. It's been doing well and looking healthy, been watering it every other day or so and today out of the blue it's started to wilt terribly. I hadn't watered it in a couple of days, could this be the culprit? It's rained a fair bit though, so could it also be overwatering?

Not sure whether to give it more or less water!!

I'm aware hydrangeas fo better in the ground but we're short of space so will only do that if potting really doesn't work.

Pic attached!

Hydrangeas are super thirsty, especially when they’re in pots. I’d water water water! Or pop it in the ground instead if you can (I think your pot looks quite small for a hydrangea of that size) 🌸

The clue is in the name HYDRAngea. Hydra literally means water. They need a lot of water and because of that they grow better in the ground than in pots.

lots of water but it doesn't look too wilted

they can droop like that due to weight of the flowerheads

And while terracotta pots looks nice and helps a biggish plant not be too topheavy, they lose water faster than plastic ones.

Stand the pot in a bucket or big bowl of water and keep topping up the water until it is absolutely soaked. Repeat every 2 or 3 days. It needs to be fully rehydrated and the terracotta pot will also absorb water.

That makes so much sense, hadn't spotted the 'hydra' in hydrangea! It's not super droopy as such but the blooms were looking so plump and healthy and are now starting to shrivel so am glad I've caught it early. Will water lots and lots tomorrow. I've got a feeling I packed the soil too tight as well as it's taking ages to soak in. The smaller terracotta pot is a stop gap, I've got a much larger concrete one now but wanted to wait a bit in case it shocks it!

I'd love to plant it in the flowerbed but it's a very heavy clay soil and not much room for its roots with other bushes/plants so not sure it's suitable really but will consider it if it doesn't flourish. Thanks so much all!

Hydrangeas do well on heavy clay, IME.

I'd plant in a plastic pot and pop it inside a more decorative one.

I find hydrangeas hard work. They're beautiful, but they're so needy.

Is it in full sun? The hydrangeas in my front garden get like this when they're feeling a bit sorry for themselves. They do like a bit of shade.

You'll need to feed it too, Ericaceous feed

They look pretty but the clay in terracotta pots dries out fast, and it wicks the moisture away from the compost in the pot. The plant might do better in a glazed (or even a plastic) pot really. And keep it in the shade for a week or so until it is a bit happier.

What everyone else said. It’s almost impossible to over water a hydrangea. Make sure you are really soaking the pot not just sprinkling it. Even when it rains as rain wont be able to get in the pot much It does not look wilty to me but pot does look a bit small. It’s a gorgeous colour.

I agree the pot is too small. Needs to be twice as big.
Mine wilt if they get too much sun. I don't know why the labels say they can tolerate full sun - they like semi shade.

@gardeninggirl68

You'll need to feed it too, Ericaceous feed

No need to feed for a few weeks since it's just been repotted, they'll be enough in the new compost. And then we'll be running into winter when it won't be able to use the feed. Excess fertiliser just leaches out and adds to the general pollution problems - it's better for the environment not to feed more than you have to.

I've got a feeling I packed the soil too tight as well as it's taking ages to soak in. That's probably because the compost is too dry. Try plunging the whole pot in a deep bowl of water and leaving it for half an hour