Are Hydrangeas Fond Of Acidic Fertilizers?

Acidifying the soil for hydrangeas can be done by adding peat or pine bark, watering them with vinegar or citric acid, or using acidic fertilizers specifically designed for them. It is important to avoid using fertilizers for acid-loving plants without a pH test as it can push the pH levels to dangerous or unfavorable levels. Traditional water-soluble fertilizers, granular fertilizers, and soil amenders can help stimulate root growth and increase the soil’s acidity for blue flowers.

Acidic soils (pH 7) hinder aluminum absorption, resulting in pink flowers. Hydrangeas with blue flowers are beautiful and have a soft spot for acidic soils. Many soils are naturally acidic, but if your soil is too alkaline, they can change their color drastically. Bigleaf hydrangeas can grow in both acidic and alkaline soils, but they can change their color drastically when soil pH is 6.5 or lower (acidic soil).

Acid fertilizers can produce larger blooms and more flowers, which hydrangeas prefer. For blue hydrangeas, the soil needs to be acid (<7.0pH), and the more acid the soil, the bluer the blooms. Rhody's (rhody's and azalea's) like acidic soil, and hydrangeas do okay in that. Pink hydrangeas indicate soil that is alkaline to neutral, while blue flowers indicate soil that is alkaline to neutral.

In conclusion, hydrangeas require acidic soil for optimal growth and blooms. To ensure the best results, it is essential to use organic soil fertilizers that support the correct pH balance and nutritional needs.