Quick fire hydrangea tree stems breaking

Question: Hello! I planted a small quick fire hydrangea tree in my yard 1.5 months ago. It gets about 2-3 hrs of direct sun a day and a small amount of morning and evening sun, and I have been watering it every 5-7 days with a “gator bag”. It started flowering about 2 weeks ago, but now many of the buds are brown and multiple stems are breaking, including stems that don’t seem to be overly heavy with blooms. I would appreciate any advice! Thank you!

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 13, 2023, 6:34 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing. I believe that your plant is overwatered.  https://plantcaretoday.com/overwatered-hydrangea.html  The leaves  look like edema with swollen cells and dilated veins. Gatorbags are not needed and can make a plant unhealthy. These can aggravate root rot from watering and can cause fungi to enter the stem at the ground level. Remove it.  Some hydrangeas need stem support (just like peonies do).  In this case, caging a plant before stem support is needed is the best approach.  I am worried that this plant may have hydrangea scale--a sap sucking insect. https://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Content/H/Hydrangea%20Scale%20insect/Hydrangea%20Scale%20Insects.htm These little white things on your image 104 bother me.  Can you send me a close up?

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 13, 2023, 7:07 PM EDT
response: Hi Steve,Thanks so much for your reply! I am including a few more pictures of the stems and leaves. The leaves feel pretty dry and crunchy.I will not use the gator bag anymore! When should I resume watering and how often? It’s been challenging for me to determine given the drought. Thank you again!BrittaOn Jul 13, 2023, at 5:34 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 14, 2023, 9:24 AM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back.  Overwatered. Picture 2 engorged veins and exploded white cells on right.  The white spots do not appear to be scale. I am concerned that the plant may have Botrytis. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/plant/deciduous/hydrangea/budspetalsdiscolored.html For example, the blackened areas in the stem and on the leaves. There is not much to do for it if it does. Please send me another picture of these areas in a week.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 14, 2023, 7:36 PM EDT
response: Thank you for your knowledge and advice! I will send pictures next week.BrittaOn Jul 14, 2023, at 8:24 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 20, 2023, 8:28 PM EDT
response: Hi Steve,I am attaching some updated pictures. The first is of a branch that seems pretty healthy. The others are some of the least healthy leaves. I let the tree dry out to the point of being slightly wilty yesterday, then gave it just one watering can and it perked back up nicely.Thanks!!BrittaOn Jul 14, 2023, at 6:34 PM, Britta Dosland <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿Thank you for your knowledge and advice! I will send pictures next week.BrittaOn Jul 14, 2023, at 8:24 AM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 20, 2023, 10:08 PM EDT
response: Thank you for writing back.   See picture enclosed below the plant had edema as described in my first note. It is better now. https://www.allaboutgardening.com/hydrangea-watering/ Let your plant dry out between waterings.  I little drooping is not such a bad thing.  I think the plants are OK but this is fussy plant.

responder: The Question Asker Replied July 22, 2023, 8:47 AM EDT
response: Thank you again for your time and help! BrittaOn Jul 20, 2023, at 9:08 PM, Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>> wrote:﻿

responder: Steve Miles  Master Gardener, Hennepin County MN (I answer using human intelligence, not AI)  Replied July 22, 2023, 11:11 AM EDT
response: Hydrangeas often need a cage or stakes to support the stems, especially when the flowers get wet.  The stems break easily and it is too late to cage them now.  Tie twine (not wire) to stakes to keep it from sliding down and then make a loose loop around the stem just below the flower.  That will turn a floppy mess into a lovely bouquet.