Fertilizing hydrangeas: 7 effective home remedies as fertilizer

The hydrangea, also known as hydrangea by its scientific name, is particularly popular because of its lush, blooming flowers. But the desired, mostly hemispherical flowers with their decorative and expansive flowers To bring out show flowers regularly, the hydrangeas are on the support of the hobby gardener reliant. Here you will find all the information you need to provide the plant with all the nutrients it needs with one or the other household remedy as fertilizer.

Fertilize hydrangeas

The requirements of hydrangeas

Although the hydrangea has many others when it comes to keeping it outdoors or in pots It is very similar to ornamental shrubs as it has its own requirements for soil and Nutrient supply. In order to make the right choice of home remedies when fertilizing, one should therefore know about the needs of Hydrangea:

• High nitrogen requirement for leaf and flower growth
• High potassium requirement for intensive flower induction and high flower abundance
• Low pH, ideally below 5 to facilitate nutrient absorption
• Low phosphorus content to keep pH in the desired low range
• High proportion of trace elements such as iron, magnesium, sulfur, zinc and others in order to maintain resistance and to intensify growth

With this basic knowledge, fertilizer can be judged well in terms of its suitability for the hydrangea, so that the right household remedy can be found safely.

tip: Hydrangeas come up with different flower colors. If you absolutely want to achieve a blue bloom, you should attach particular importance to a low pH value. The (low) phosphorus content of the fertilizer used should therefore be the focus.

Home remedies

Hydrangea fertilizer made by yourself

Note: Since mineral fertilizers are mostly produced industrially, or at least on a large scale in suitable places The collection of suitable home remedies focuses mainly on the area of ​​organic ones Fertilizer. These mostly arise from the decomposition processes of organic substances, in the course of 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.

Deciduous compost

composition

• decomposed foliage
• especially oak leaves for an acidic environment
• moderate admixtures of birch, alder and other types of foliage are also possible

Manufacturing

• Composting of the leaves in a suitable high-speed composter or on a classic compost heap
• ideally use only in the second year
• But: Lime is unsuitable as an accelerator because of its negative effect on the pH value!

ingredients

• extensive range of numerous minerals and nitrogen

use

• 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

Coniferous compost

composition

• fallen needles of various conifers

Manufacturing

• Composting or Rotting in composter or loosely piled up as heaps
• mostly 3-year-old rotting required
• if only spruce and larch needles are used, even every 2 years is sufficient
• Laying up in layers with grass clippings is advantageous for duration and composition

ingredients

• diverse range of different nutrients
• high nitrogen content, but also minerals

use

• Spread a few centimeters thick, work in and water

frequency

• biweekly between March and the end of August

Horn shavings / horn meal

composition

• crushed parts of animal horns and hooves

Manufacturing

• Shredding resp. Painting the animal components
• The rate of release of the high nitrogen content depends on the degree of the horn

ingredients

• primarily nitrogen

use

• Rake 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, moderately lowering the pH value

use

• Sprinkle in a thin layer in the root area

frequency

• from March to around July, each time after rainfall

tip: Coffee grounds not only provide the hydrangea with various nutrients and can contribute to a low soil pH value, it also comes with 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 away from the bushes in particular. Thus, in addition to fertilizing, coffee grounds can also be used to achieve effective pest control.

Vegetable water

composition

• Water with dissolved contents from the vegetables cooked in it

Manufacturing

• accrues anyway when cooking vegetables

ingredients

• Nutrients that have been loosened from the vegetables, especially minerals

use

use regularly as irrigation water

frequency

No restriction on use necessary due to the relatively small amounts of content

Note: Only unsalted vegetable water is suitable as a fertilizer. Because the salt penetrates the soil and can damage the plants.

Tea bags / 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
• The tannic acids it contains have a positive influence on the pH value of the soil

use

• Scatter tea loosely on the soil in the area of ​​the roots

frequency

• Unlimited possible due to the comparatively low intensity of the ingredients

Banana peels

composition

• organic biomass, which releases substances contained in the process of rotting

Manufacturing

• are generated as organic waste when eating bananas

ingredients

• Potassium and calcium
• as well as other minerals

use

• Cut the shells as small as possible and work them into the soil

frequency

• during the growth phase from March to around the end of August once a month in moderate quantities

Attention: In addition to the products already mentioned, eggshells, 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. Eggshells, on the other hand, contain a lot of lime, which also increases the pH value.