This is something I believed that everyone knew, turns out it isnt as common knowledge as I first thought. Hydranges have flowers that can change colour from pink to blue and back again. The flower is indicative of the pH in the soil. If it is pink, then the soil is slightly acidic. If the flower is blue then the soil is alkaline. If the flowers are a mix like the ones in the picture, then your dealing with an inbetween, or close to neutral. For some reason people love blue flowers, so they buy a lovely blue hydrangea, then get really stroppy when it flowers the next year and the flowers are pink. Just adjust the pH and the flowers will revert back. Another word of caution that I thought was another obvious common knowledge thing. The name Hydrangea should even give it away, they are VERY thirsty plants. Dont grow them in barren sand, in the full sun. They will burn and die very quickly. Grow them in part/dappled shade, in damp soil (so lots of organic matter) and spray occasionally with copper to discourage fungal diseases (as they are very prone to mildew). They will look a bit sick during the winter months, dont fret they just do this. Prune them back to buds at the beginning of spring and for all that is good and wholesome, MULCH THEM!
No comments:
Post a Comment