As of: March 6, 2024, 8:00 a.m
By: Ines Alms
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If you want to grow, you need nutrients, and this also applies to hydrangeas.
To ensure that the plants produce lots of colorful flowers, you should use the right fertilizer.
Fertilizing plants at the wrong time can do more harm than good.
In spring, hydrangeas (Hydrangea) enter a growth phase in which additional nutrients come in handy.
Fertilizer also helps species that are cut back in spring to sprout new plants or form flowers.
However, fertilization is not carried out in autumn, otherwise the young shoots are at risk of frost.
For proper fertilization from March, it is also important how much and with what you fertilize.
Organic or mineral fertilizer for hydrangeas?
In order for farmer's hydrangeas to bloom blue, they need a special fertilizer.
© Shotshop/Imago
Some hobby gardeners enrich their garden in spring with a newly purchased hydrangea.
However, freshly planted hydrangeas should not be fertilized in the first year so that they can form stronger and deep roots on their own.
For older specimens, the question arises as to the right fertilizer.
There are mineral and organic alternatives for this.
Organic fertilizers such as rotted cow manure, cattle dung pellets or horn shavings are well suited for hydrangeas.
However, the plant materials first have to be decomposed by microorganisms and that takes time: If you want to take advantage of the growth spurt in spring, you should apply such natural fertilizers in autumn - it will take several months for them to release their nutrients and take effect.
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In spring it is also a good idea to use mineral fertilizer, which can and should be dosed precisely.
“A lot helps a lot” doesn’t apply, because too much of it does more harm than good to the plants.
Excessive amounts lead to an excessive reduction in the soil pH value.
The fertilizer should contain mainly nitrogen and potassium, but not too much phosphorus, which applies, for example, to special hydrangea fertilizers.
But products for rhododendrons and azaleas also serve well here.
Hydrangeas also enjoy a nutrient-rich layer of compost or humus.
A special fertilizer is necessary for blue flowers
The color of the flowers also plays a role: If you want a blue color when the farmer's hydrangea flowers are predominantly pink, you have to 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.
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Since hydrangeas have shallow roots, the fertilizer is only carefully worked into the soil surface and poured on.
From mid-July onwards, the plants no longer receive any nutrients and can prepare for the winter break.