How to feed hydrangeas for lush flowering

Hydrangea is a perennial garden plant that is deservedly popular: it delights with abundant blooms in spring and summer, the flowers come in a variety of colors, and the bushes with beautiful large flowers will enliven any corner of the garden.

Flowering for such a long time requires a constant replenishment of nutrients in the soil, which can be replenished with fertilizer.

Fertilizer application calendar

At planting time, add 1 cup of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate. An additional 30 g of ammonium sulfate is added during spring planting. No further fertilizing is performed for two years, after which the plants are alternated between organic and mineral fertilizers.

When and how to feed:

• Nitrogen fertilizers are applied from spring to mid-summer once every 2 weeks;
• Do not use nitrogen from mid-July;
• water the entire bush with a solution of manganese (0.2 g per 1 l) once a month - it strengthens the tissue well;
• the formation and growth of buds require the addition of potassium sulfate and superphosphate (40 and 60 g per 10 l);
• Feeding stops at the end of August.

If regular fertilization is not possible, it is recommended to apply granules of complex fertilizer after clearing the soil of snow, burying them deeply. This will be applied gradually, providing the plant with nutrition throughout the entire season, and sometimes even for several seasons. Then, no further mineral fertilization is necessary.

Types of mineral fertilizers

For mineral application, a combination of several fertilizers with a single main component or a complex fertilizer is suitable. Complex fertilizers are easier to use, as the dosages are already calculated in the instructions.

Options for complex fertilizers:

• Fertika – in liquid form, apply once every 2 weeks while growth is in progress; granules are applied under the bush up to 2 times per season;
• Pokon has a long-term effect and is applied to the soil once in spring;
• GreenWorld is used up to 2 times per season for abundant bud formation, long flowering and bright flower colours.

Ammonium sulfate (60g), potassium sulfate (15g) and superphosphate (20g), diluted in 10l, have an effective effect during the growing season (May-June).

Organic fertilizers

It's not recommended to use organic fertilizers continuously. The best option is to alternate them with mineral fertilizers. The choice depends on your resources—manure or cow manure aren't always available.

Organic fertilizer options:

1. Manure infusion: add 1 part manure to 3 parts water and leave in the shade for a week. For watering, use a 1:10 solution.
2. Mullein infusion: Fill a container one-third full with fresh mullein and top up with water. Preparation time depends on the mullein's composition, but typically takes 5-7 days. For irrigation, dilute the infusion 1:10. Apply the fertilizer into furrows dug at a distance from the stem.
3. Herb infusion: Place the weeds in a container, cover completely with water, and leave in a warm place to ferment. When the foam disappears from the surface, the infusion is ready. Dilute 1:10 for watering.
4. Biohumus preparation in solution.
5. Adding humus under the bush in the fall will protect it from frost, and in the spring it will replenish the soil with nitrogen.

Fertilizers in spring at different growth periods

The timing of fertilizer application affects its composition and dosage. The combination of fertilizer components influences abundant, long-lasting flowering, beautiful bush appearance, and disease resistance.

Fertilizing in spring

With the arrival of warm weather, hydrangeas begin to grow vigorously, building up foliage and forming buds, which requires nitrogen. Potassium sulfate and urea (1 tablespoon per 10 liters) will replenish this deficiency, applying 0.5 buckets per bush. A 1:10 solution of slurry manure is very effective as a nitrogen fertilizer.

When buds are forming, phosphorus-potassium fertilizers are needed: ammonium sulfate (60g), potassium sulfate (15g), superphosphate (20g) per 10 liters. Consumption per plant is 2-3 buckets.

How to change the color of hydrangea

Hydrangea's ability to change flower color attracts flower lovers. The color tone is determined by anthocyanins, substances found in the plant's cell sap. These substances react with metal ions in the soil, causing the flowers to change color. Neutral or alkaline soil (pH 7-8) produces pink flowers, acidic soil (pH 2-4.5) produces blue or bluish-violet flowers, and slightly acidic soil (pH 5-6) produces white flowers.

Litmus, an acidity indicator, can help determine the acidity of your soil. It's available in pharmacies and stores and is easy to use. Soil acidity is adjustable and can be altered by adding certain substances.

General rules for applying fertilizers:

• observe the required dosages;
• do not feed sick and weak plants;
• apply fertilizers to moist soil;
• an acidic environment is maintained by mulch made of peat and pine bark;
• Expanded clay and marble chips are not recommended for use as mulch.

Obtaining a blue color

In slightly acidic soil (pH 5-6), metal salts are soluble and readily absorbed by plants. At pH ≥5.5, transitional colors with purple hues appear.

What to do:

1. Apply aluminum sulfate to the soil in dry form at a rate of up to 0.5 kg per 1 m². Apply a solution (30-40 g per 10 l) and water at least once every 1-2 weeks. Potassium alum is also used in the same proportions. A mature bush requires 2-3 buckets of the solution.
2. The acidity of the soil under the bush can be increased to the desired levels during planting by adding high-moor peat or elemental sulfur.
3. To maintain the resulting color, use fertilizers with significantly more potassium than phosphorus. For example, ammonium sulfate—15 g per liter. Superphosphate is not suitable for this purpose.

Pink hydrangea

The pink color of the inflorescences is obtained at pH = 7-8 - at this acidity, metal salts are not absorbed, so the blue (blue) color will not turn out.

Procedure:

1. If the indicators meet these standards, you need to monitor the condition of the plant and, if necessary, scatter metal filings under the bush and drive nails into the ground - sometimes an iron deficiency is observed with this type of soil composition.
2. Lime, dolomite flour, and ground limestone, added to the soil 2-3 times per season, will help bring the indicators to the desired level.
3. Use monophosphate, which contains a lot of potassium and phosphorus – it converts aluminum into forms that are difficult for plants to absorb, which is why the pink color appears.

Additional factors influencing the color of inflorescences:

• neutralize acidity by watering with hard water;
• Concrete and pavement surfaces are sources of leached lime;
• To maintain the resulting color, you need to use fertilizers with a higher percentage of potassium and a lower percentage of phosphorus.

How to fertilize hydrangeas in alkaline soils

Hydrangea produces abundant blooms and vigorous bushes in acidic soils, so it can be grown without problems in peat soils and sandy loam soils with a litter of rotted leaves, which serve as a source of nutrition and keep the soil moist.

You can create the soil with the necessary conditions for hydrangeas in any area by adding peat, fallen leaves, sawdust, and bark. Watering the soil with acid solutions (citric and oxalic) will help bring the pH to 3.5-4.5 units: 1.5-2 tablespoons per 10 liters. The recommended rate for 1 m² is 10 liters. A solution of acetic and malic acid (9%) is prepared at a rate of 100 g per 10 liters.

The soil quickly restores its original properties, so watering with acidified water every 10-15 days is necessary. Rain, alkaline or neutral tap water, and groundwater all contribute to deacidification.

Fertilizers for different types of hydrangea

Fertilizers for different types of hydrangeas vary, and these must be taken into account to ensure a lush, flowering bush.

Types of hydrangeas and fertilizers:

1. Paniculata. This species is distinguished by its increased frost resistance and grows for decades, reaching large sizes. Spring feeding with superphosphate (60-80g) and potassium (45g) helps the plant during bud formation. Nitrogen and microelements in special hydrangea fertilizers promote vigorous growth.
2. Arborescent. This species requires complex fertilizers and additional boron, iron, and magnesium. In July, it can be fed with nettle infusion; compost is suitable for fall fertilization.
3. Large-leaf (garden). Superphosphate, potassium fertilizer, and urea are applied in equal parts in the spring to promote active growth. The norm per bush is 60 g. With the onset of summer, a solution of 1 tablespoon of Agricole in 10 liters of water is used.

From mid-July, mineral fertilizers are applied in smaller doses to maintain active flowering, and nitrogen is discontinued until spring. In the autumn months, humus (peat) with potassium-phosphorus fertilizers is used.

Garden hydrangea actively responds to complex compositions with potassium (23%), nitrogen (18%), and phosphorus (5%).

Hydrangea will appreciate spring fertilizing and will delight you with its blooms until late autumn.