Hydrangeas blue or pink?
Question:our hydrangeas are pink what do I add to their soil to make them blue?
Answers:
It's all about the acidity of the soil where they grow. Changing a hydrangea from pink to blue entails adding aluminum to the soil.
To obtain a blue hydrangea, aluminum must be present in the soil. To ensure that aluminum is present, aluminum sulfate may be added to the soil around the hydrangeas.
Authorities recommend that a solution of 1/2 oz (1 Tbsp) aluminum sulfate per gallon of water be applied to plants (which are at least 2-3 years old) throughout the growing season. Important: Water plants well in advance of application and put solution on cautiously, as too much can burn the roots.
To make the aluminum available to the plant, the pH of the soil should be low (5.2-5.5). Adding aluminum sulfate will tend to lower the pH of the soil. Another method for lowering the pH is to add organic matter to the soil such as coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable peels, grass clippings etc.
If the soil naturally contains aluminum and is acid (low pH) the color of the hydrangea will automatically tend toward shades of blue and/or purple.
The choice of fertilzer will also affect the color change. A fertilizer low in phosphorus and high in potassium is helpful in producing a good blue color(25/5/30 is good. Potassium is the last number). Superphosphates and bone meal should be avoided when trying to produce blue.
After stating this with much certainty, I hasten to add that it is virtually impossible to turn a hydrangea blue for any length of time if it is planted in soil with no aluminum and that is highly alkaline (chalky). One would have to be very diligent in keeping the soil properly conditioned as stated above.
Perhaps the best idea for growing blue hydrangeas in an area with alkaline soil would be to grow them in very large pots using lots of compost to bring the pH down. The above suggestions for bluing would also work for a potted plant. Reduce the strength of the Aluminum sulfate to 1/4 oz per gallon of water. In a pot, it will be much easier to control the requirements for bluing.
One last suggestions for those who are serious about this process. It is important to have your water tested so that it will not "contaminate" the soil that you have so rigorously balanced. The pH of the water should not be higher than 5.6.
Planting hydrangeas near a concrete foundation or sidewalk will often affect the color since the pH of the soil may be raised considerably by lime leaching out of these structures, making it difficult to obtain blue.
You have to add alkaline substance eg., diluted baking soda.
tru green and some fish skin ima gardner so i know trust me
I know its definatley about the acaidity in the soil they grow in but wouldnt know how to change this...
The hydrangeas are all pink where I live :O)
you need to make the soil more acidic. You can buy some acidic fertilizer at a home and garden store.
I found this webpage...
http://www.hydrangeashydrangeas.com/colo...
To make pink hydrangeas turn blue, mix 4 tablespoons of aluminum sulfate into a gallon of water, and pour the mixture around the base of established plants. Repeat this process again in three weeks. Now you just have to wait a year. It's not easy turning blue!!.
i have no idea how true it is, but my grandad used to have i think it was copper pipe in the soil. if not that something like it.
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