How to acidify the soil for hydrangea: simple methods

It is necessary to acidify the soil for hydrangeas if the measuring device shows an increased alkali content. Before applying special products, you need to find out why the flower loves acidic soil, and also consider several ways to lower the pH level and choose the most suitable one.

Why hydrangea loves acidic soil

Plants that like soil with high acidity are called acidophytes. Hydrangea is one of them. In nature, its natural environment is moist land near water bodies, rich in peat and with an acid content of about pH 5,3.

The reason why hydrangea grows better in acidic soil is the special structure of the roots. Most plants have microscopic suction channels through which they absorb nutrients and water. Hydrangea and other acidophytes do not have such channels. Instead, mycelium develops, thanks to which the plant receives nutrition from aggressive soil, which is earth with an acidity level of pH 3,5-7. The plant and these fungi cannot exist separately from each other. They are a symbiosis that can only live in an acidic environment.

What is the acidity of the soil should be for hydrangea

Before planting a hydrangea, you need to measure the acidity of the soil on the site. This is done using a special device or folk remedies. The unit of measurement is called pH. The table in the photo below shows the parameters of different types of soil:

The more intense the color of the strip, the more pronounced the acidic or alkaline properties of the earth.

Hydrangea blooms well and develops properly with a soil acidity of 5,5 pH. The inflorescences on the bush become lush, and their color is bright. It is by the shade of the petals that experienced gardeners notice when it is necessary to increase the acidity of the soil, because if the earth is artificially acidified, then as the bushes grow, they absorb all the nutrients.

The frequency with which you need to repeat the acidification procedure depends on the initial pH of the soil. Neutral and slightly alkaline soil should be acidified 2-3 times per season, and slightly acidic – 1-2 times. Strongly acidic soil from 1 to 3 pH, on the contrary, is deoxidized using wood ash.

How to determine the pH level by the shade of hydrangea flowers:

1. On neutral soil, the flowers turn white or have a slight blue tint.
2. Pink color indicates an acidity level of 7,5-8 pH.
3. The bright pink color of the petals indicates that the acidity level is around 6,3-6,5 pH.
4. Blue, inflorescences become when the pH is 4,8-5,5.
5. The petals turn blue at pH 4,5.
6. Purple flowers can be seen when soil acidity is 4 pH.

The shades of the inflorescence differ at different pH levels.

These changes are not relevant for plants in which the color of the petals should have 1 shade from nature. For example, there are pure white inflorescences, and they do not change them throughout the entire flowering period.

How can you acidify the soil for hydrangeas

Before planting hydrangeas in open ground, gardeners fertilize the ground with humus from last year’s leaves, needles and sawdust. For neutral and alkaline soils, this method of acidification is ineffective, so additional funds must be used.

Acidify the soil during watering. Special agents are dissolved in water:

• Apple vinegar;
• oxalic acid;
• lemon acid;
• electrolyte;
• colloidal sulfur.

Succinic acid (sodium succinate) is considered one of the most effective means. In addition to acidification, such a solution nourishes the roots well and activates their development. Protects against diseases and pest attacks, and also accelerates the regeneration of the entire bush. If the hydrangea has suffered a disease, then succinic acid will help the plant recover quickly and bounce back. In addition, sodium succinate helps the bushes in the process of photosynthesis and does not tend to accumulate in the soil and oversaturate the plant.

Succinic acid can be purchased at a pharmacy in the form of tablets or in a flower shop, in powder form.

How to make soil acidic for hydrangeas

Before acidifying the soil, you need to measure the pH level. To do this, gardeners purchase a special device, litmus papers, or use the folk method. Soda is sprinkled on the ground and, if the soil is strongly acidic or slightly acidic, a chemical reaction will begin. Grains will “bounce” and fly off in different directions. If vinegar is spilled on alkaline earth, it will sizzle and bubbles will appear with a small amount of foam.

To better see the reaction, earth samples should be collected in glass or ceramic dishes.

You can acidify the soil for hydrangeas by simple methods without purchasing special chemicals. The most popular ways of acidifying the earth are carried out using:

• vinegar;
• oxalic acid;
• mineral additives.

How to properly use these tools is described below.

How to acidify soil for hydrangeas with vinegar

It is recommended to use vinegar to acidify the soil only in extreme cases, when the plant loses its attractiveness, develops poorly, and its flowers become pale and dry. Frequent use of vinegar for acidification has a detrimental effect on the mycelium located in the roots. Excess acid can completely destroy the plant.

To acidify the soil with vinegar solution, it is better to use apple essence. In 1 bucket of water, add a tablespoon of vinegar and mix well. Pour the bush with the resulting solution. You can repeat the procedure with this remedy no earlier than after 3 months.

How to oxidize the soil for hydrangeas with oxalic acid

Oxalic acid is sold in powder form. It will take 100 g of funds for 10 liters of water. For quick dissolution, the liquid can be slightly warmed up so that it is not too cold. Pour the acid in a thin stream and mix thoroughly. One bucket is enough to irrigate the land under one adult panicled hydrangea bush. You can acidify the soil in this way once every 1,5 months.

How to make soil for hydrangea sour with mineral supplements

Experienced gardeners recommend acidifying heavy clay soil with mineral fertilizers. Suitable for this purpose:

1. colloidal sulfur. This tool must be added directly to the ground. Fertilizer is instilled under a bush, deepening by 10-15 cm. It is advisable to carry out this procedure in the fall, before the onset of the first frost. In the spring, after the snow melts, the chemicals will begin to react, and after 5-6 months, the acid values ​​​​will decrease by 2,5 pH. This method of acidification should not be used too often. Enough once every 2 years, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the root system.
2. ferrous sulfate. These fertilizers help to achieve a faster and more gentle effect. Just like sulfur, they are introduced into the soil before winter. At 10 m² 500 g of the substance is required. The acidity level decreases by 1 unit in 3 months.
3. If the pH level of the earth is slightly different from the norm, then you can use ammonium nitrate, ammonium sulfate or potassium sulfate.

Mineral fertilizers in the form of granules dissolve upon contact with water and saturate the soil with useful microelements.

How to acidify the soil can be found in the video:

Useful Tips

For successful soil acidification and good hydrangea growth, experienced gardeners advise:

1. Once a month, add citric acid to the water for irrigation. 10 liters will require 1 tbsp. powder. This method will help maintain the level of soil acidity is normal.
2. For mulching, it is best to use larch needles.
3. Water seedlings that have recently been transplanted into open ground with a solution of succinic acid. This will help young plants gain vitality.
4. When using organic fertilizers to acidify the soil more, it is better to give preference to humus from oak leaves.
5. By lowering the pH balance of the earth with saltpeter, waste material cannot be used. It increases the content of lead, which pollutes the soil and prevents the normal growth of hydrangeas.
6. After sulfur fertilizers for clay soil, you should wait about 8 months before planting hydrangeas, otherwise the plant may not take root in a new place, since the earth will be oversaturated with acid at this time.
7. To maintain the optimal acid balance of the earth, green manure can be used. They are also called green fertilizers. When the first sprouts appear from the seeds, they are buried. Such green manures include oats, white mustard, lupine.
8. In flower shops you can buy special alum for hydrangeas. They contain heptahydrate of aluminum and potassium salts. These substances acidify the soil and give the flowers a blue tint.
9. To change the color of the petals from blue to pink, you need to water the bush with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
10. Sometimes gardeners plant 4-5 bushes side by side and increase the acidity of the soil only under some of them. Then the flowers take on different shades, and the flowerbed with hydrangea plays with new colors.

Conclusion

You can acidify the soil for hydrangeas with home remedies or ready-made mixtures from the store. The main thing is to check the initial pH level before applying fertilizers or acids. Every month, measurements should be repeated and the earth acidified if necessary, then the plant will bloom well and develop properly.