Expert: nick mccann - 3/31/2010

Question
I'm not very good with keeping house plants alive. So i was wondering if you could tell me know to take care of my potted hydrangea? Its in my office at work and the lights are on always, it is also very cool in there and dosnt get very hot during the summer.
Any advice would help
Thanks

Answer
Hi Stacy, keep it properly irrigated, watering it so the soil stays on the damp side, but not wet is a good start; prune off the spent blooms as they occur will promote new ones and medium light is ideal. A container plant needs to have the soil changed out at least once a year (because of salt build up from fertilizing...) with a couple of inches of gravel lining the bottom for drainage; fertilize with a soluble like Miracle-Grow or Peters once a month at  half the recommended strength on the label.  Just for your edification, the color of the blooms are determined by the ph level of the soil, but I am not going to convolute things here by going into details on this, suffice to say, your blooms will either be on the blue side or the pink side, depending on that level. Let me know how you make out and I will assist you further as needed...Nick