hydrangea problem

[Ruud]

Could someone please tell me why my hydrangea buds are going crusty


thanks

[sagegreen]

Hi, only thing I can think of is damage caused by overnight frost and rapid thawing in the sun's heat. Have to say it is very early for hydrangeas to be in bud; only a suggestion, think I would cut these buds off, feed the plant over the next couple of months and -hopefully- it will produce a new set of buds to flower in the autumn...but I could be wrong!!

[Jeanied]

I agree with Sagegreen on this one, Ruud - usually you leave last year's flower heads on to protect from the frost - then prune these out to reveal the new buds.This is from a website :

Whilst pruning back the dead flowers keep a look out for frost damaged branches or shoots. Cut damaged wood back to the first healthy looking set of buds. Prune out any weak looking stems at the same time.

[Ruud]

it didnt flower last year as it was its 1st year , they start flowing in the 2nd year

[Jeanied]

Ah, well that explains the damage then. So I'd do as Sagegreen advises.