The hydrangea, also known by its scientific name as hydrangea, is particularly popular because of its lush, blooming splendor. But in order to regularly produce the desired, mostly hemispherical flowers with their decorative and expansive show flowers, hydrangeas depend on the support of hobby gardeners. Here you will find all the information you need to provide the plant with all the necessary nutrients using one or the other home remedy as fertilizer.
Fertilize hydrangeas
The requirements of hydrangeas
Although the hydrangea is very similar to numerous other ornamental shrubs when it comes to being kept outdoors or in pots, it still has its own requirements in terms of soil and nutrient supply. In order to make the right choice of home remedies when fertilizing, you should therefore know about the needs of Hydrangea:
- High nitrogen requirements for leaf and flower growth
- High potassium requirement for intensive flower induction and high abundance of flowers
- Low pH, ideally below 5, to facilitate nutrient absorption
- Low phosphorus content to keep pH in desired low range
- High proportion of trace elements such as iron, magnesium, sulphur, zinc and others to maintain resistance and intensify growth
With this basic knowledge, fertilizer can be easily assessed in terms of its suitability for the hydrangea, so that the right home remedy can be found.
tip: Hydrangeas come up with different flower colors. If you really want to get a blue flower, you should pay particular attention to a low pH value. The focus should therefore be on the (low) phosphorus content of the fertilizer used.
home remedies
Homemade hydrangea fertilizer
notice: Since mineral fertilizers are usually produced industrially, or at least are mined on a large scale in suitable places, the collection of suitable household remedies is concentrated primarily on the area of organic fertilizers. These usually arise from the decomposition processes of organic substances, during which the desired ingredients are released. In addition to the optimal composition of the fertilizer, you will also find out when and how often the respective substance should be used.
leaf compost
composition
- decomposed foliage
- for an acidic environment, especially oak leaves
- moderate admixtures of birch, alder and other leaf species are also possible
manufacturing
- Composting of the leaves in a suitable quick composter or on a classic compost heap
- ideally use only in the second year
- But: Lime is unsuitable as an accelerator due to its adverse effect on the pH value!
ingredients
- comprehensive supply of numerous minerals and nitrogen
application
- Spread a 2 to 3 centimeter thick layer around the plant on the ground and work it in loosely and then water well
frequency
- every two weeks from March to the end of August
needle compost
composition
- fallen needles of various conifers
manufacturing
- Composting or rotting in composters or piled up loosely as heaps
- mostly 3-year-old gang required
- in the case of exclusively spruce and larch needles, a 2-year old is also sufficient
- Stacking up in layers with grass clippings is advantageous for duration and composition
ingredients
- wide range of different nutrients
- high nitrogen content, but also minerals
application
- apply a few centimetres, work in and water
frequency
- every two weeks between March and the end of August
Horn shavings/ horn meal
composition
- crushed parts of animal horns and hooves
manufacturing
- Crushing or painting the animal parts
- The speed at which the high nitrogen content is released depends on the degree of grinding of the horn
ingredients
- primarily nitrogen
application
- Rake about a handful of shavings or flour flat into the soil for each bush
frequency
- once per season at the beginning of the season
coffee grounds
composition
- roasted and ground coffee beans
manufacturing
- occurs as a residual product when using classic filter coffee machines
ingredients
- nitrogen, potassium, magnesium
- in addition, it moderately reduces the pH value
application
- spread in a thin layer in the root area
frequency
- from March to around July, depending on rainfall
tip: Coffee grounds not only bring various nutrients to the hydrangea and can contribute to low soil pH, they also contain caffeine. This has a toxic effect on the usual pests found in the garden, even in the amount contained in the coffee and can therefore keep snails in particular away from the bushes. Thus, in addition to fertilizing, coffee grounds can also be used to effectively deter pests.
vegetable water
composition
- Water with dissolved contents from the vegetables cooked in it
manufacturing
- occurs anyway when cooking vegetables
ingredients
- Nutrients released from the vegetables, primarily minerals
application
use regularly as irrigation water
frequency
due to relatively small amounts of content no restriction of use required
notice: Only unsalted vegetable water is suitable as fertilizer. Because the salt penetrates the soil and can damage the plants.
tea bag / tea
composition
- crushed tea leaves
- Black and green tea are particularly suitable
manufacturing
- is a by-product of tea consumption anyway
ingredients
- nitrogen, potassium and magnesium
- positive influence on the pH value of the soil due to the tannic acids it contains
application
- Scatter the tea loosely on the soil around the roots
frequency
- Unlimited possible due to the comparatively low intensity of the ingredients
banana peels
composition
- organic biomass, which releases the substances it contains as it decomposes
manufacturing
- accumulate as organic waste when bananas are eaten
ingredients
- potassium and calcium
- as well as other minerals
application
- Work the bowls cut as small as possible into the soil
frequency
- during the growth phase from March to about the end of August once a month in moderate amounts
danger: In addition to the products already mentioned, egg shells, wood ash and even urine are often mentioned as possible means of fertilizing plants. However, these substances are unfavorable for hydrangeas and should be avoided. Because urine contains high amounts of phosphorus, which adversely increases the pH value. Wood ash has a similar effect. Egg shells, on the other hand, contain a lot of lime, which also increases the pH value.