With their declamatory , colorful blooming , hydrangeas are a much - make out garden bush One of the conjuration to growing gorgeous hydrangeas is understand how soil pH affects flower color . This often leads to questions about using lime , which provoke pH , on hydrangea Below , we ’ll research if applying lime to hydrangeas is recommended and how it impacts color .
How Lime Affects Hydrangea Bloom Color
Most hydrangea shift color based on the pH of the ground they are develop in . Acidic soils with a pH below 6 cause hydrangea to produce blue flower . Alkaline dirt over pH 7 result in pinkish or red-faced blooms . The reason involves the availability of aluminum in the soil , which causes the blue paint .
Lime , or calcium carbonate , is an alkaline meaning . supply lime raises the pH , making the soil more basic . Therefore , applying lime to hydrangea in acidulent soil will make the blooms turn pink or ruddy .
The distinctive recommended soil pH range for grow hydrangeas is slightly acidulous , between 5.2 and 6.2 . This encourages beautiful , vivid blue or purple blooms .
Should You Add Lime to Your Hydrangeas?
Whether or not to add together lime depends on your goal for flush colour Here are some considerations
If you want blue hydrangea peak , avoid using lime . Stick to an acidulent grease pH rather .
If your soil naturally stays at an idealistic pH range , there is no need to add lime to change the colour .
To induce pinkish bloom , integrate in lime around the root . How much to add calculate on your current soil pH.
Never add calcium hydroxide without testing your soil first . Too much can negatively bear on hydrangea .
It ’s easier to make grime more alkaline than to lower pH. Go cautiously with lime .
Once added , it can be difficult to reverse the effects of lime over multiple seasons .
How to Safely Add Lime to Hydrangeas
If your desire efflorescence coloring material is pink or red , follow these tips for safely using caustic lime on hydrangeas :
Always test soil pH first before tote up amendment like calx . kit are inexpensive and take the guesswork out .
Determine how much lime is demand to elicit the pH just more or less base on soil test resultant . A little travel a foresightful way .
commix in lime profoundly in the planting hole when first implant . Afterward , spit softly on top around the root zone of established plants .
Add powder dolomitic limestone as it contains calcium and magnesium , both beneficial to hydrangea .
Recheck soil pH 2 - 4 weeks after initial software program to assess if more is ask .
Add linden just once or twice per yr early in the time of year . Overapplying can sunburn roots and leaves .
Consider bulb fertilizers tailor for blue or crimson hydrangeas instead of lime if unsure .
Hydrangea Blooming Problems From Too Much Lime
While a little hydrated lime can softly nudge bloom of youth to pink , overdoing it has result . Adding too much lime to hydrangea can result in :
Burnt leaf perimeter from highly alkaline soil burn the roots
Stunted growth and wilting from damaged roots unable to take up water
Nutrient deficiencies as overly alkaline grime makes minerals unavailable
Few or no flower because the bush is punctuate and struggling
Eventual demise if soil food are wholly out of equilibrium
The impact look on how much excess lime was apply and how quickly you’re able to attempt to rectify the berth . Lightly besprinkle in some sulfur can help low-spirited pH if catch up with shortly enough .
Achieving Blue Hydrangea Blooms Without Lime
You do n’t have to mess with stain amendments to enjoy vivid drear hydrangea flowers . Some options include :
pick out by nature acidic soil when planting like under pine trees . ward off berth where lime tree was of late used .
Incorporate peat moss or compost into the filth to help acidify it . coffee bean grounds also lour pH.
apply an acidic fertilizer made for hydrangea . Options like Holly - Tone and Espoma Holly - Tone let in iron , sulfur and aluminum .
attempt a fertiliser with aluminum sulfate , which is very effective at creating racy blooms .
mature hydrangea mixed bag specifically breed to bloom blue disregardless of dirt pH. Many panicle and tranquil hydrangea have this trait .
The Bottom Line on Lime and Hydrangeas
So should you put lime on your hydrangeas ? It ’s not inherently harmful if utilize minimally and cautiously based on filth testing . But it ’s also unneeded if your goal is the coveted blue flowers most hydrangea fans desire .
puzzle to a slightly acid soil pH avoid the shot of using fluxing lime . Select by nature acidic planting blot , use acidic compost and fertilizers , and maturate dedicated blue-blooded - blooming varieties . With a piffling planning , you may easily revel gorgeous blue hydrangea flower summer after summertime .
Comparing 4 Different “Lime” Hydrangeas – Which is BEST for you?
FAQ
How much lime do you put on hydrangea ?
How to use lime on hydrangea ?
What is the best plant food for hydrangea ?
Does calcium hydroxide turn hydrangeas blue ?
Does lime make hydrangeas ?
Lime ( Calcium Carbonate CaCO 3 ) found in Garden Lime which we practice to add to the soil of Hydrangea is a chemic compound that help to raise the alkalinity of the stain by raising its pH point . In this stake , I will discuss the use of lime in the hydrangea plant . allow ’s get start out ! What color
Is lime water adept for you ?
Yes , it will have all the benefits of lemon . If taken on an empty belly , it help improve the digestive organisation and intestines , in improver to containing a good amount of vitamin coke , which improves immunity .
How much caustic lime should be used for hydrangeas ?
For every 100 square feet of land , you should apply 2.5 to 5 lbs . of lime or habituate 3 to 4 tbsp . for two to three medium - sized hydrangea . Sprinkle the lime around each hydrangea plant , at soil level , forefend the leafage . Alternatively , bestow 1 tbsp . of hydrated lime to 1 Imperial gallon of piddle and pour it around the base of the hydrangea flora .
Can lime be added to potted hydrangeas ?
To produce pink or reddened hydrangea blossom in potted plants , you could add lime tree to the soil in early spring or former capitulation . contribute lime to the garden grunge also works for make a bed of beautiful pink Gallic hydrangea . ( Note : This passage does not directly answer if lime can be add flat to potted hydrangeas , but the information provided can be used to achieve the want solution . )
