Hydrangea Mega Mindy (Mega Mindy) - description

One of the most beautiful perennials in demand in landscape design is called hydrangea. It produces dense lush greenery and an abundance of flowers. In addition, the bushes do not need difficult maintenance and are well adapted to frost and summer drought. Those who choose a variety suitable for breeding should pay attention to Mega Mindy.

Hydrangea Mega Mindy: description

Mega Mindy is a type of bouquet (or panicle) hydrangea. Like a number of other varieties, Mindy forms a compact bush, the branches of which are well suited for making bouquets (hence the name).

This variety was bred as a result of selection work, thanks to which it was possible to improve its characteristics, including increasing frost resistance.

Hydrangea Mega Mindy

The origin and appearance of hydrangea

The Mega Mindy variety got its name for its large flowers, collected in racemose inflorescences. In terms of the size of flowers, this variety occupies one of the leading positions.

This shrub has a dense crown consisting of vertical shoots. Its height can vary within 1.2-1.75 m. On the branches there are oppositely located ovoid leaves. The largest of them can reach a length of 10 cm. The leaves are distinguished by their density, rough surface and dark green color. By autumn, the plant acquires a yellowish tint.

How Mega Mindy blooms

According to the description, cone-shaped inflorescences, consisting of dozens of large flowers, are located on the tips of the Mega Mindy shoots. Immediately after opening, the brushes have a white or milky color, however, over time, the petals begin to turn pink and then pink-red. Due to this feature, panicles most often have a smooth color transition.

White inflorescences of Mega Mindy gradually acquire a pink-red hue

Hydrangea transplant Mega Mindy after outdoor shopping

Young hydrangeas should be planted outdoors in early spring. This must be done before the active growth of the flower begins. The soil for planting should be medium acidic or neutral. These plants do not do well in alkaline soil.

What is needed for landing

It is necessary to prepare the site 3-4 days before planting. To do this, dig a hole, the depth of which is 80 cm. The width should be about the same. For feeding, the following components are poured into the pit:

• three-year compost;
• a bucket of sawdust.

These components are mixed. Their number should be such as to completely fill the planting hole. If the soil on the site is not acidic, you can acidify it artificially. To do this, a bucket of riding sod from a spruce or pine forest is added to the pit.

Choosing the best place

The regularity of flowering, the intensity of the color and the growth rate of the shrub depend on the correctly chosen place. With a lack of light, the shoots will grow more slowly, and the inflorescences will be smaller.At the same time, you should not choose a site completely devoid of shading, in which case the plant will suffer from drying out.

The site located on the eastern side of fences, houses or outbuildings is best suited for planting Mega Mindy hydrangeas. In this position, the flowers will receive soft lighting in the morning, and in the afternoon they will be protected from direct sunlight.

To prevent the accumulation of precipitation, experienced gardeners recommend planting these shrubs on a small hill. This will help control the amount of moisture. Otherwise, the flowers are exposed to the fungus.

Step-by-step planting process

If the plant is in a flower pot, then proceed as follows:

1. The seedling is removed from the pot along with a lump of earth. This must be done carefully.
2. The sprout is placed in a planting pit.
3. Sprinkle the flower on top with soil. In this case, the root collar should remain on the surface.

The plant, along with a lump of earth, is placed in a planting pit.

If the hydrangea was cuttings and placed in water before the roots appear, planting is carried out in a slightly different way:

1. A small mound is formed on the seat.
2. All roots that have managed to grow are carefully straightened and covered with soil from above.

Reproduction

There are four ways to propagate this variety of flowers:

• seeds;
• cuttings;
• vaccination;
• dividing the bush.

In addition, these methods do not give 100% of the result. For these reasons, it is recommended to choose the propagation of hydrangeas by cuttings or by dividing an adult bush.

Propagation by cuttings

For this method, annual shoots are used (preferably lateral ones). They should be rooted in July, having previously prepared the soil:

• coarse sand;
• peat;
• a small amount of sphagnum moss (it is necessary to increase the moisture capacity).

There are a few tips to keep in mind when planting.

• there should be a distance of at least 5 cm between planted cuttings;
• seedlings are placed in the ground at a slight angle;
• the optimum temperature for rooting and growth is 16-20 ° C.

Hydrangea cuttings are planted in the ground at a distance of 5 cm from each other

Growing from cuttings

This method has several advantages:

• ease of implementation;
• the ability to breed at any time of the year (spring, summer or autumn);
• high rooting rate.

Dividing the bush

To achieve a good result, it is important to correctly divide the bush.

1. The plant is carefully dug up. During this work, it is important not to damage the root system. Hydrangeas have shallow roots, so you don't have to go deeper.
2. The main bush is divided into several parts. You need to make sure that each daughter bush has 2-3 buds.

Hydrangea Care Mega Mindy

Caring for this plant can be called standard, since no special actions are required from the gardener. It is enough to comply with a few requirements regarding watering and fertilization.

Watering mode

This variety of ornamental shrubs does not tolerate severe drought and waterlogged soil. In most cases, watering once a week is sufficient. This is done by introducing water into the root circle. A single watering requires 7-10 liters of water. On days of extreme heat, you can increase the number of waterings up to 2 times a week.

Water the hydrangea by adding water to the root circle

Top dressing

The flowering of hydrangea paniculata Mega Mindy lasts from spring to late autumn, which requires a lot of energy from the plant. For this reason, it is important to provide the ornamental shrubs with regular feeding, especially if the soil on the site is sandy. It is better to choose a fertilizer composition taking into account the season.

• In early spring, NPK can be added to the soil, which provides enhanced growth of new shoots. A mixture of potassium sulfate and urea is used as an additional fertilizer. To prepare the solution, 10 liters of water and 1 tbsp are required. spoon of the named components. This amount is enough for five bushes.
• June is the time for the appearance of inflorescences, so for feeding it is better to choose superphosphate or any other complex containing phosphorus and potassium.
• During the summer months, it is recommended to apply fertilizer for flowering plants 2-3 times. In the list of the most demanded - flower kemira.
• In the fall, shortly before the cold weather, the plant must be prepared for wintering. For this purpose, the bushes are watered with a solution of superphosphate and potassium (for 10 liters, 1 tablespoon of each substance).

Features of care during the flowering period

During active flowering, the Mega Mindy hydrangea does not need special care, but you need to remember a few nuances.

• regular watering 1-2 times a week;
• feeding at least 3-4 times during the warm season;
• loosening the soil. After watering, a dense crust often forms on the surface of the soil, which prevents air from reaching the roots. Loosening the soil completely solves this problem. It should be remembered that the root system of the bush is on the surface, so you need to act carefully.

Features of care during the rest period

In the spring, even before the start of active sap flow in the stems, you need to prune. Last year's dry, crooked branches are removed at the base. It is best to leave a small amount of skeletal branches. In this case, the plant acquires an erect, even crown, its branches do not fall to the side. In addition, a large number of stems negatively affects the quality of flowering - the brushes become smaller.

Preparing for winter

Hydrangea is a perennial plant, therefore, with the onset of cold weather, it must be prepared for winter. Experienced gardeners recommend cutting off all inflorescences. On stems from which the brushes have not been removed, new panicles will not form the next year.

Thus, growing Mega Mindy is not that difficult. It is enough to follow the elementary rules, do not overmoisten and cut the shrubs in time.