Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I received cuttings from a friend's hydrangeas and even though they had
flowers in bloom, I prepared the cuttings, dipped them in growing hormone
and all except one took root beautifully in vermiculite. I have kept them
under plastic "greenhouses"=plastic wrap, inside my house. I just planted
them today in regular potting indoor-outdoor soil, in small plastic pots. My
question is should I take them outside, because I know hydrangeas don't
do well as indoor plants, and then what do I do for the winter" I read that
some people suggest bringing them inside an unheated garage, which I
can do, but I'm worried about them not having light...and if that's ok
somehow, when should I bring them in? Will they be ok in the small
plastic pots or do they need to be in clay pots?

ANSWER: Hi Monica,
Thanx for you question.  Can you tell me where you live please?
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: So sorry, I live in eastern PA. I have a porch in front of the house that
gets some sun in the morning, as it travels from the front of the house to
the back over one side of the house. I could put them in the full sun all
day but I'm afraid that may be too much sun. I know with seedlings started
inside the house they need to be acclimated to the outside, should I do
the same with these?
Thank you so much!

Answer
Hi Monica,
You could put the potted hydrangeas in an unheated garage.  Bear in mind that during the winter, they will be dormant and so they'll be okay like this.  You could plant them outdoors now and mulch them well. When winter comes, add more mulch and they should be okay for the winter.

If you want to go the unheated garage route, just make sure you water them once a week.  Take them into the garage when temperatures are consistently below 32癋/0癈.  Leave them in the garage, watered once a week until a few weeks before the last projected frost.  Once the days start warming up to the 50sF/10sC, it's safe to take them outdoors and plant them.  

You're right about full sun.  If you have really hot summers like we do here in Kansas, you'll want afternoon protection for the hydrangeas.  The hottest part of the day is noo to 5pm and when it's 100癋 here, it's not good for the hydrangea for extended periods, so they do appreciate afternoon shade.  Try to make sure they get sun all morning and after 5pm.  I hope this helps.
Tom