In northern climes where afternoon temps are moderate, some hydrangeas will also thrive if they receive some early afternoon sun. Hydrangeas like a permanent spot in the landscape, so planting them in pots or grow bags might not allow the shrubs to reach their full potential.
Heavy, clay-type soil and sandy soil will benefit from additional organic matter, such as compost or dried leaves.
The test results will include recommendations for creating healthy, balanced soil. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 7 considered neutral.
Levels higher than 7 are considered alkaline, while levels lower than 7 are considered acidic. The greater the pH variation, the more pronounced the hydrangea color change. When shopping for hydrangea fertilizers, you may notice that a good number of them are called acidic fertilizers. To qualify as a top pick, a fertilizer should provide the nutrients hydrangeas need for developing strong branches, healthy foliage, and beautiful blooms.
Any one of the following fertilizers is well suited for use on hydrangeas, but keep in mind that more is not necessarily better when it comes to fertilizing plants. Follow application instructions carefully. Do not overfeed hydrangeas; rather, err on the side of too little rather than too much and use fertilizer in combination with other soil amendments and an optimal growing location.
The best overall pick is an acid-based fertilizer from a well-known and respected manufacturer in the gardening industry. A water-soluble plant food designed for hydrangeas and other plants that prefer slightly acidic soil, this fertilizer comes in a 1-pound box of quick-dissolving granules. It features a N-P-K ratio to help hydrangeas get off to a robust start in spring and grow vigorously throughout the summer.
This flower fertilizer comes in a ounce jug of concentrated liquid and is suitable for use on many types of flowers. A single spring application will provide hydrangeas with a steady N-P-K diet for up to 6 weeks. The answer is in the soil…well at least the soil pH. White hydrangea cannot somehow magically be turned blue or pink by the grower, but you can significantly influence the richness of color for pink and blue hydrangea types by adjusting soil pH.
This is what we call soil amendment, whereby we add either lime or sulfur to the soil to move it up or down the pH scale until we reach the perfect growing condition for whatever plants we are growing.
Before you can make any amendment to the soil you will need to know the existing soil pH level, and you can do this by using a soil pH tester.
For rich colorful pink hydrangea flowers, you will need to test your soil pH and amend the soil to a pH level of 6. For vivid blue hydrangea blooms, you will need to amend your soil to be on the acid spectrum of the pH range, ideally between 4. We delved deep into the market to find the best hydrangea fertilizers available. Our main considerations are the quality of the fertilizer nutrient balance, color performance, and ease of use.
This water-soluble plant food fertilizer from Miracle-Gro is a fast-acting granular feed that will work instantly on all acid-loving plants including hydrangeas.
With the help of this fertilizer, you can enjoy bigger blooms and luxuriant foliage for longer. It works by feeding, adding iron, and acidify instantly as a fast-release fertilizer. How to use: For best results, use the hydrangea fertilizer once a week or every two weeks. You can either use a watering can or a sprayer. For outdoor hydrangeas: mix 1 tablespoon of the fertilizer with one gallon of water.
For indoor plants: mix half a teaspoon yes teaspoon! Since this product is fast working and yields great results, I would consider it as the best fertilizer for hydrangeas that need a kick-start to show color. It has the capability to transform pale washed-out hydrangeas into a strong natural blue after just one application. I was pleased that this Miracle-Gro fertilizer for hydrangeas is in a granular form and not liquid.
Miracle-Gro can also be put to great use as a rhododendron fertilizer or when fertilizing azaleas. Buy Miracle-Gro Hydrangea Fertilizer online. Miracle-Gro is a global brand that has gained a lot of trust through its consistently delivering customer satisfaction. Our next pick of the best fertilizer for hydrangeas is an organic product from the brand, Espoma. The Holly Tone fertilizer comes in a generously sized pound bag and is specially formulated to work for many different types of plants, not just hydrangeas.
Those who have an organic flowerbed or garden will find this product especially useful for healthier plant growth. With its special Bio-tone microbes that no other brand offers, we are quite certain that your hydrangeas will love this all-natural fertilizer just as much as our plants did. Just like Miracle-Gro, the Holly Tone fertilizer is also fast-acting and can be applied once per month prior to rainfall.
What makes this product stand out, however, is that you can use it sparingly since it is purely of organic matter. You can buy Holly Tone online here. How to use: for young hydrangeas, prepare the soil and mix 2 cups of Holly Tone with one cubic foot of soil. For established hydrangeas, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the fertilizer into 3 inches of soil along the outer edge of the pot.
Customer Reviews: Espoma is not as well known as some of the other brands in our trials, but the many experienced gardeners including myself have used it with great success. Consumers who use Holly Tone fertilizer feedback on how they notice healthier plant growth within a short period of time. Espoma Organic Bone Meal is a great addition to any flower garden when growing shrubs or bulbs. The fertilizer ration provides a light dose of nitrogen and a high ratio of phosphorus to support excellent root growth, allowing your shrubs to suck up all available nutrients for outstanding blooms.
This is the result of either an iron deficiency or iron unavailable for plant uptake. Liquid iron is inexpensive and can easily be poured or sprayed on the plant. Any brand will do The results is often quite dramatic. This page contains affiliate links to products on Amazon. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
Use Code: ShopSmallBiz. Search Keyword:. Blog Home. Plant Care. Landscaping Tips. Plant Addicts Anonymous. Fertilizing Hydrangeas Organically For an organic approach, many gardeners use commercial manure on the soil around hydrangeas. Myths About Fertilizing Hydrangeas Fertilizing a healthy hydrangea will not cause it to bloom. Growing Zones: Endless Summer Hydrangea. Follow this advice to learn which fertilizers are best for hydrangeas, and when and how to fertilize these plants to ensure that they grow to their fullest potential.
Hydrangea fertilizers come in three main forms: liquid, granule, and compressed spikes. All three offer different benefits, albeit only slightly:. Many fertilizers meant for feeding hydrangeas contain chemicals. Still, a few of them have natural ingredients.
Both boost the health of the plant and encourage blooms that are exceptionally huge and beautiful. When shopping for fertilizer, examine the labels for the amounts of nitrogen N , phosphorus P , and potassium K. To increase the size and quantity of hydrangea blooms, consider a fertilizer with more phosphorus. Phosphorus is the middle number, so a fertilizer labeled will do. If exploring slow-release granular fertilizer, choose one that is labeled "bloom boost," which may also have a higher level of phosphorus.
Learning how to fertilize hydrangea shrubs is equally as important as the type of fertilizer chosen. Apply a slow-release chemical for shrubs and trees once a year. Depending on the variety, a balanced time-release fertilizer can be applied a few times a year, in spring and early fall.
Take care not to apply too much fertilizer as it could burn the leaves. Too much nitrogen could encourage more leaf growth, longer stems, and less flower growth.
0コメント