Hydrangea can become a real decoration not only at home, but also on any personal plot. Increasingly, they began to use it in floristic compositions and in landscape design. These can be shrubs or very spectacular mini-trees. Despite the fact that hydrangea is not a “problem” plant, it still requires some care. Violation of certain rules will undoubtedly lead to a change in the appearance of the flower, and later on to the disease.
Mistakes in care, due to which the leaves turn pale and lighten
A change in leaf color is the first sign of a plant's disease. This nuisance can arise due to a number of factors, a detailed study of which will not only help cure the flower, but also prevent the occurrence of ailments in the future.
The leaves of the plant turn yellow
Failure to comply with certain requirements and rules will lead to the appearance of hydrangeas not only pale leaves, but also the subsequent illness. It can be caused by:
- waterlogging of the substrate in which the flower grows;
- finding the plant under the scorching rays of the sun;
- lack of essential micronutrients;
- a sharp change in the place of growth;
- changes in soil acidity.
Inattention to the growing conditions will lead to metabolic disorders in hydrangea, fungal or even viral diseases.
Deficiency of batteries due to insufficient amount of fertilizing
If hydrangea leaves lighten, what to feed? For each stage of development, the use of certain trace elements is required.
Attention! A young plant is generally not recommended to be fertilized, since all the nutrients were introduced into the soil during planting.
Hydrangea leaves turn yellow and pale with insufficient nutrition. If hydrangea leaves turn white, it needs to be fed 3 times a month. It is important to alternate organic and mineral preparations.
Nitrogen
It is important to understand why hydrangea has pale leaves before fertilizing the soil. If yellowing of the leaves occurs during flowering, this means that the flower lacks nitrogen.
It is important to properly feed him in the spring, during the period of budding. Timely introduction of potassium and phosphorus into the soil will not allow the "green mass" to lighten and fall off. Feeding at this stage should be carried out weekly.
Iron
If the leaf gets a light green hue, and the veins remain green, then hydrangea is not enough iron. Chlorous insufficiency occurs due to spring temperature drops and disturbances in the formation of chlorophyll in the leaves. Another sign is the small size of the sheet plate.
Leaf chlorosis
Treatment can be carried out by the alternative method:
- completely change the soil under the flower;
- pour new soil with water with the addition of a drop of any acid (citric, acetic);
- the introduction of any iron-containing preparations (iron chelate, Ferovit).
Advice! Spraying will completely nourish the plant in a very short time. When watering, it takes 2-3 days, when sprinkling - 24 hours.
Watering errors
If the irrigation rules are not followed, the plant may turn white. Light hydrangea leaves appeared, what should I do? It is necessary to normalize the irrigation regime, to supply hydrangea with the necessary amount of moisture.
- In dry times, watering should be carried out at least 2 times a week. The procedure should be carried out only after the top layer has completely dried.
- Spraying will allow you to maintain the required level of moisture for hydrangea.
Also, the leaves may dry due to the use of "bad" water. For large-leaved species, it is recommended to use only standing and warm water.
Imbalance in acid-base balance
The substrate for hydrangea should have a pH value of 3-5. A change in the color of the foliage may be caused by its change.
Checking the level of acidity even at home is very simple. To do this, you will need:
- litmus paper;
- dishes with water at room temperature;
- the land in which hydrangea grows.
Advice! It is advisable to use distilled water in this event.
The procedure is very simple. The soil is wetted with water and litmus paper is applied to the resulting slurry:
- red color indicates high acidity;
- a leaflet is blue or light green in color with a neutral indicator;
- yellow litmus paper - slightly acidic earth;
- pink color appears at medium acid values.
What if hydrangea has pale green leaves? First of all, you need to adjust the acidity of the soil. You can increase the level with the help of lemon juice. 2 drops of lemon are added to a liter of water and the earth is poured with this compound. You can also use for planting any coniferous branches that are simply laid on top of the drainage.
Incorrect transplant
Damage to the root system during transplantation often leads not only to external changes in the flower, but also to a slowdown in the growth and development of hydrangea. After the procedures, the plant must be abundantly moistened.
Advice! Adding Zircon to the soil after transplanting will help form a strong root system.
Excess or lack of sunlight
Placing the plant on the south side may cause damage and burns to the leaves. Hydrangea loves the sun and light, but direct sunlight is destructive for her.
The best place for the location of the plant is the western or eastern sections.
In low light, hydrangea can stop growing and become ill.
Leaf whitening diseases
There are many diseases that, if improperly maintained, can harm hydrangeas and lighten its leaves.
Ascochitosis on hydrangeas
- Powdery mildew
The appearance of gray plaque on the bottom of the leaf indicates the infection of hydrangea with powdery mildew. The upper part is covered with spots and later acquires a brown color.
You can save the flower with the help of Fitosporin (at an early stage) or Topaz (with an advanced state).
- White and gray rot
Gray or white rot is manifested in the form of discoloration of the leaves. Hydrangea is literally covered with gray or white spots, the leaves dry out and completely crumble.
You can save the plant with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper sulfate.
- Ascochitic spotting
Outwardly, the disease manifests itself in the form of spots that instantly grow. Irregularly shaped circles are painted in tan and framed by a dark border. With a prolonged course of the disease, the leaves fall completely.
Fungicides are used to combat the disease.
Various pests, discolored leaf plates
If the plant is damaged by a spider mite, the leaves turn yellow and completely dry. An untimely reaction can lead to the death of a flower. A damaged plant can be cured with the help of pesticidal preparations.
Hydrangea aphids
If the leaves are blackened, then most likely, upon examination, you can detect harmful aphids. The insect covers the plant with sticky juice, which becomes the basis for the instant development of a fungal disease. Pollination of the flower with tobacco dust will perfectly help and save the plant in a short time.
What to do if hydrangea turns white
Having studied the possible causes of what happened, you should be as responsive and competent as possible towards the treatment of hydrangea. More often, whitening occurs due to a lack or excess of nutrients.
How to feed the bush
Spring hydrangea supplementation should include organic fertilizers.
Mullein can be used in a proportion of 1:10. Bird droppings (1:15) are also great for this. They need to be insisted during the day.
Advice! Natural organics are more suitable for garden species. It is also used for tree representatives, it allows you to quickly grow green foliage.
In summer, it is recommended to use green infusions to form flowers, any weed herbs can be used. The use of herbal fertilizers will allow the leaves of panicled subspecies to acquire a beautiful saturated color.
Fertilizing with the addition of yeast will call to eliminate the cause of the appearance of light leaves in hydrangea and nourish the plant with necessary useful trace elements. You can make it according to the following recipe:
- 1 bucket of water;
- loaf of dark bread;
- 5 tablespoons of dry yeast;
- 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar.
The fermentation process should last at least 2 days.
Prevention of the appearance of pale green leaves
Diseases develop under specific conditions, improper agricultural practices. It is important to carry out preparatory procedures before boarding or transplanting:
- hydrangea seedlings are subject to preliminary treatment with diluted copper sulfate;
- in spring and autumn, the plant should be treated with Bordeaux liquid;
- 2 days before planting, any insecticides should be introduced into the ground;
- weeds and fallen leaves must be constantly removed from the site.
Abundantly flowering plant
For a plant to be healthy, it must grow under certain conditions:
- compliance with irrigation standards - it is not recommended to allow overflow or long-term drying of the soil;
- water should be settled and in no case cold;
- it is important to avoid drafts;
- the air temperature in the room (for indoor varieties) should be maintained at a level of +22 - +24 degrees;
- it is necessary to protect the flower from direct rays of the sun;
- feeding and treatment of diseases and pests are mandatory procedures.
The most correct answer to the question: what to do if hydrangea has pale leaves? Prevent! Regular inspection of the plant and constant monitoring of the acidity level of the soil will help prevent massive leaf damage. It is important to understand that the process is much easier to stop at the stage of yellowing than with the neglected state.
Timely implementation of preventive measures will not only help to avoid these troubles, but also give a beautiful plant, which for many years will delight with its beautiful inflorescences.
