As of: April 6, 2024, 5:26 a.m
By: Ines Alms, Simone Jung
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Proper fertilization can have a significant impact on the growth and flowering of your hydrangeas. Find out how to optimally care for your plants.
Fertilizing plants at an inappropriate time can be counterproductive. Hydrangeas (Hydrangea) enter a growth phase in spring in which they benefit from additional nutrients. A fertilizer can also help species that are pruned in the spring to resprout or produce flowers. However, fertilization should not be carried out in autumn in order not to expose the young shoots to the risk of frost. It is also crucial how much and with which fertilizer is fertilized from March onwards.
Which fertilizer is better for hydrangeas - organic or mineral?
Some hobby gardeners add a freshly purchased hydrangea to their garden in spring. However, newly planted hydrangeas should not be fertilized in the first year so that they can develop strong and deep roots on their own. For older plants, the question arises as to which fertilizer to use. There are both mineral and organic options. Organic fertilizers such as rotted cow manure, cattle dung pellets or horn shavings are well suited for hydrangeas. However, these plant materials must first be broken down by microorganisms, which takes time: If you want to take advantage of the growth spurt in spring, you should apply such natural fertilizers in autumn - it takes several months for them to release their nutrients and take effect. However, you should stop fertilizing your hydrangeas from August onwards so that they can survive the frost of the cold months unscathed.
In spring, mineral fertilizer can also be a good choice, which can and should be dosed precisely. The principle “a lot helps a lot” does not apply here, as an overdose can do more harm than good to the plants. Excess can lead to a severe reduction in soil pH. The fertilizer should mainly contain nitrogen and potassium, but not too much phosphorus, which applies, for example, to special hydrangea fertilizers. But products for rhododendrons and azaleas are also helpful here. Hydrangeas also appreciate a nutrient-rich layer of compost or humus. Coffee grounds can also be used wonderfully as fertilizer for your hydrangeas.
Blue flowers need a special fertilizer
The color of the flowers is also important: If you prefer a blue color with a predominantly pink-flowering farmer's hydrangea, you must use alum or a special fertilizer containing aluminum sulfate. In addition, the pH value of the soil should be kept below 5 and therefore acidic - this can also be achieved with coffee grounds, for example. This also applies to hydrangeas that are already blooming blue.
In spring, hydrangeas are happy about the right fertilizer.* © Simone Jung/DALL-E (AI-generated)
Since hydrangeas have shallow roots, the fertilizer should only be carefully worked into the soil surface and watered. From mid-July onwards, the plants will no longer receive any further nutrients and can prepare for the winter break.
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The editor Simone Jung wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at her own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.
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