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Clever Tricks That'll Completely Change The Color Of Your Hydrangeas
By ASHLEY HANSON
Aluminum Sulfate
Combine 1 tablespoon of aluminum sulfate with 1 gallon of water and add it to the soil. This lowers the pH level and changes the color of pink hydrangeas to blue.
Crushed Eggshells
When mixed into soil, crushed eggshells release calcium carbonate, which gradually raises the pH. The alkaline soil turns white or blue hydrangea blooms pink.
Eggshells take time to break down, so consider additional soil amendments like wood ash to shift the pH sooner. While mixing, water the soil to help the root zone absorb it faster.
Vinegar Solution
Add 1 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water to dilute the solution. Apply it to the soil to increase its acidity, causing your hydrangeas to turn from pink to blue.
It's vital to routinely test the pH to keep levels between 6.0 and 6.2. Mark the day you applied vinegar on your calendar and reapply every two weeks throughout spring and summer.
Potassium Fertilizers
Potassium helps plants absorb water and nutrients, strengthens cell walls, and directly affects the vibrancy and saturation of the flower color.
Check the N-P-K label when buying fertilizer — a higher K value means it's potassium-rich. Add it to the dirt around your hydrangeas, and it can change their color to blue.
Peat Moss
Get your peat moss, gently pull it apart, and add an even layer directly to the soil around your hydrangeas. It will slowly break down and mix with the planting medium.
Amending your soil with peat moss makes it more acidic, turning hydrangeas blue. Cultivating a favorable environment is crucial, so monitor your soil's nutrient and pH levels.