I pour water over it and cover it with gauze! After 2 weeks I have the best hydrangea conditioner there is
For many people, hydrangea bushes are the most beautiful flowers that can be planted in the garden. They are elegant and impressive. Additionally, hydrangea blooms for an exceptionally long time, from June to September. This shrub does not require specialist gardening knowledge and works well in our weather conditions. Hydrangeas should be watered several times a week. It is best to do it early in the morning or in the evening, when the sun is not too intense. If you have it, it is worth thinking about fertilizing it. This shrub should be fertilized even until mid-July. Thanks to this, the hydrangea will bloom profusely, and its flowers will be larger and more resistant to pests and diseases.
You don’t have to buy chemical conditioners. Homemade fertilizers will be enough. One of the most popular ways to fertilize hydrangeas is using coffee grounds and banana peels. Hydrangea or slightly acidic soil, so nitrogen-rich fertilizers are a good solution. Gardeners also recommend nettle slurry for fertilizing hydrangeas.
How to prepare nettle slurry to fertilize hydrangeas?
Nettle slurry is a great turbo conditioner for hydrangeas. It will have a positive effect on growth processes, protect root systems and nourish the plant well. Prepare 1 kg of fresh nettle leaves and mix them with 10 liters of water. Cover the whole thing with gauze and set aside for 2 weeks. Stir the prepared slurry every day. After 2 weeks, the fertilizer is ready for use. Dilute it with water and water the hydrangeas with it once every three weeks. Nettle slurry will acidify the soil well and make the bush grow magnificently and the flowers will be lush.
How to care for hydrangeas in summer so that they bloom beautifully?
Summer is the time when hydrangeas dazzle with their flowers, but heat and drought sometimes worry them. So remember to water regularly so that the soil around the bush does not dry out. It is best to water in the morning or evening, avoiding soaking the leaves and flowers, as this is asking for fungal problems. Mulching with pine bark or wood chips will help retain moisture in the soil and reduce weed growth.
On hot summer days, hydrangeas will appreciate light shade, especially in the afternoon, when the sun is mercilessly hot. Too intense rays can burn delicate petals and leaves, depriving the plant of its charm and vigor.
grow without any problems, remember to fertilize gently. Choose special preparations for hydrangeas or fertilizers with increased potassium content, which greatly supports flowering. However, avoid excess nitrogen, because it promotes lush growth of leaves at the expense of beautiful flowers. Regularly remove faded inflorescences to stimulate the plant to create new buds.
Hydrangea fertilization calendar – how to care for them all year round?
Proper fertilization of hydrangeas is a process spread over time that should be adapted to the development cycle of the bush. It is worth starting the first feeding in early spring, at the turn of March and April, when the plant comes to life after winter dormancy. During this period, fertilizers rich in nitrogen are crucial, as they stimulate the growth of new shoots and leaves. You can use both organic fertilizers, such as compost, or mineral fertilizers – granulated every month or liquid even every two weeks. Remember to finish nitrogen fertilization no later than mid-August so that the shoots have time to become woody before the arrival of frost.
Autumn is the time to change the composition of the conditioner. From September to October, use special autumn fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen and are rich in phosphorus and potassium. These two elements strengthen the root system, improve the frost resistance of the bush and support the formation of flower buds for the next season. Thanks to this, your hydrangea will enter the winter rest period in excellent condition, and in the summer it will reward you with lush flowering.
Optimal soil pH – the key to health and beautiful flowers
Hydrangeas are acid-loving plants, and the pH of the soil has a direct impact on their ability to absorb nutrients. Too high a pH can lead to chlorosis, i.e. yellowing of the leaves, because the plant is unable to absorb iron. The optimal soil reaction varies depending on the species. Garden and bush hydrangea do best in soil with a pH range of 4.5-6.0, while bouquet hydrangea is more tolerant and grows well at a pH of 5.0 to 6.5.
If the soil in your garden is too alkaline, it will need to be acidified. You can do this by mixing it with acidic peat or using specialized acidifying fertilizers, for example ammonium sulfate. Another effective method is mulching bushes with pine bark. In turn, in rare cases, when the soil is too acidic, its pH can be increased by using calcium fertilizers, but this should be done very carefully, as most hydrangeas do not tolerate excess calcium in the soil.
How to get blue flowers? The magic of aluminum and acidic earth
Changing the color of flowers from pink to blue is possible only in some varieties of garden and ball hydrangea. The key to success are two factors: a very acidic soil (pH below 4.5) and the presence of aluminum ions (aluminum) in the soil. Even if the soil is rich in this element, the plant will not be able to absorb it if the pH of the soil is too high. It is worth remembering that this method will not work on varieties with white flowers whose color is constant.
In order to consciously dye the flowers blue, the soil should be acidified regularly and the plant should be provided with clay. The easiest way is to use a special fertilizer for blue hydrangeas or use aluminum sulfate. This preparation, at a dose of approximately 10-15 g per liter of water, is administered to the plant 2-4 times a season, when flower buds begin to form. Importantly, when striving to obtain blue flowers, phosphorus fertilization should be limited, because this element binds aluminum in the soil, preventing it from being taken up by the roots.
