How to feed hydrangea with citric acid: proportions

Feeding hydrangeas with citric acid is an effective way to get the desired flower color. A feature of the plant is the preference for a slightly acidic soil environment. Hydrangeas will not grow in alkaline soil. Not every gardener can provide the bush with natural conditions for development. To slightly acidify the soil and create the necessary conditions for flowering hydrangeas, many use citric acid. Such top dressing provides the shrub with comfortable conditions for growth and does not require special knowledge or skill.

You can achieve such spectacular flowering with the help of simple folk remedies.

Is it possible to water hydrangea with citric acid

The use of the substance is justified. It is due to the fact that it is impossible to grow a beautiful flower on alkaline or neutral soils. Such conditions are not suitable for the plant.

This is due to some features:

1. Alkaline soil. Most often, such a reaction is given by saline soil in arid zones of the steppe or forest-steppe regions. It is formed on a limestone base. Under this condition of the soil, microelements turn into insoluble compounds (hydroxides), which become inaccessible to hydrangeas as food. These are such important elements as zinc, phosphorus, iron, boron, manganese. Even fertilization does not help provide hydrangeas with a sufficient amount of vitamins, which affects the development of the flower. The second parameter is the water-physical properties of the soil: in a dry state, it is dense, poorly breathable. When watering or after rain, on the contrary, it floats, becomes viscous. The result of growing on such soils will be chlorosis.
2. Neutral soil is more suitable for growing crops. On it, hydrangea gives a soft pale pink color of flowers. But in this case, the acidity level should be the same throughout the season. But growth will still be slow.

The ability to regulate acidity will allow you to create a unique bush for composition in the garden.

The color of hydrangea inflorescences directly depends on the acidity index:

• a pH value of 4 gives a purple color;
• if it is equal to 4,5 pH, then the color becomes blue;
• with a concentration variation of 4,8-5,5 pH produces blue and pink buds;
• values ​​from 6,3 to 6,5 pH give a rich pink tint;
• for pH 7, the characteristic color is bright pink;
• white tone appears on neutral ground.

The gardener, observing the flowering of hydrangeas, will easily find out when it is necessary to change the pH value. One of the proven folk remedies for acidification is acid – oxalic, acetic, malic. But the most common option is lemon, which can also be watered with hydrangea. In the process of growth, even on acidic soil, the flower absorbs the necessary substances, and the pH value changes. Maintain the desired indicator by acidifying with lemon powder.

How to dilute citric acid for watering hydrangeas

So that the prepared solution does not harm your favorite plant, you should prepare it correctly. The acidifying solution is prepared from two components – pure water and citric acid in powder.

The advantage of citric acid in availability and low cost

It will take 10 liters of liquid and 2 tbsp. l. powder. It is best to dilute the acid in a small amount of water and then pour the solution into a bucket. With the finished composition, it is already possible to fertilize the hydrangea with citric acid.

How much you need to prepare the solution, you can decide using the application rate. It is equal to 1 bucket per 1 sq. m of planting area for hydrangea. Thus, the gardener accurately calculates how much solution he will need. You can replace the powdered component with freshly squeezed lemon juice. It will need the same amount.

How to acidify the soil for hydrangea with citric acid

There are several rules that gardeners need to know and follow.

The first step is to analyze the acidity of the soil to make sure that the operation is necessary.

They do this in various ways, using:

1. Special device. It comes with instructions and is easy to use. The indicator is fixed very accurately.
2. Litmus paper. It is sold complete with an indicator, it determines the pH value by color change.
3. Vinegar and soda. For the procedure, you will need glass on which the test soil is laid. Alkaline soil, when watered with vinegar, becomes covered with foam. Sour reacts to soda.

After determining the level of acidity, it is already possible to decide on the need for acidification.

The procedure for increasing acidity is carried out through watering the plant. This technique is the least expensive and time-consuming, allows you not to burn the roots of the plant and give them the opportunity to easily absorb the solution. Beforehand, it is important to water the plant with plain water.

You can’t do without watering, otherwise you can harm the plant

So the gardener will facilitate the penetration of the solution into the soil and protect the roots from burns.

The first time you need to pour hydrangea with citric acid after awakening the kidneys. Then you will need to follow the watering schedule for the entire growing season – 1 time in 2 months. Some gardeners increase the frequency of events up to 1 time per month. This can be done on alkaline soil, but not more often, so as not to overdo it. It is very important to carry out acidification with citric acid during the period of budding and flowering of hydrangeas. Some visual information:

Useful Tips

To fertilize hydrangea with citric acid without harm to the plant, there are some nuances. Experienced gardeners willingly share their findings:

1. The optimal balance for lush hydrangea blooms is 5,5 pH. It is best to stick to this value and try not to exceed it.
2. In the process of shrub development, the acidity of the soil decreases due to the absorption of the necessary elements. Therefore, the use of lemon is justified even on slightly acidic soil.
3. Acidity always increases when fertilizers are applied to the ground, especially saltpeter, iron sulfate or urea.
4. To get blue shades of flowers, hydrangeas need sufficient acidity. A decrease in the indicator leads to the appearance of pink or lilac flowers.
5. The lack of citric acid can be filled with oxalic acid (in the same proportions) or vinegar (100 ml per 10 liters of water).
6. Fertilizer with a powder solution has a very quick effect and is considered an “ambulance” for a perennial.
7. In addition to the acidity of the soil, it is necessary to monitor compliance with other conditions – the correct location, maintaining the irrigation and fertilizing schedule. The light regime and looseness of the soil are very important so that the roots receive enough air.
8. Indoor hydrangeas also require soil acidification. The event is carried out in a similar way using a solution.

Maintaining the required level of acidity allows you to get a varied color of hydrangea inflorescences and a healthy look of the plant.

For the sake of a beautiful result, gardeners are ready to use the most extraordinary means.

Conclusion

Feeding hydrangeas with citric acid is an effective and quick way to restore flower health and improve color. This method can be applied throughout the growing season without much time and money.