Content
The care necessary for the full development of ornamental plants is a complex process. Selecting and replacing soil is one of the most important procedures. Soil for hydrangea includes several components. The composition directly depends on the type of plant and the place where it is grown.
What soil does hydrangea need?
Hydrangea is considered an easy-to-care plant. But in order for it to grow normally, bloom regularly and not be subject to disease, attention should be paid to the composition of the soil in which it is planted.
The soil for such a plant must have the following properties:
- contain sufficient nutrients;
- be loose and light;
- allows liquid to pass through well and does not retain moisture;
- do not contain harmful insect larvae or weed seeds;
- have the required level of acidity.
Nutrients are necessary so that the plant does not experience a strong need for elements that it cannot obtain from sunlight. This is especially true for hydrangeas grown in open ground. In gardens and flower beds, planting is usually done after other plants.They absorb nutrients from the soil, so feeding is necessary.
Hydrangea got its name for its moisture-loving nature.
Looseness is another important soil requirement for hydrangea. Their root system is sensitive to negative factors. High soil density will result in the plant not being able to fully take root.
An equally important criterion is water permeability. The composition of the soil must ensure complete drainage of liquid. Stagnation of water with abundant watering will provoke the process of rotting in the root system. This is fraught with the development of diseases and death of hydrangea.
The flower loves soil with low or medium acidity. The optimal indicator is considered to be pH 5.5. However, lime should not be added to the soil for hydrangeas. Special procedures are carried out only if signs appear indicating a sharp drop in acidity.
Composition of soil for hydrangea
Soil requirements differ depending on where the plant is grown. For flowers kept in open areas, the requirements for soil composition are more specific. Indoor hydrangeas are less susceptible to negative factors. They adapt more easily to indoor conditions. Therefore, the need for certain components is less pronounced.
Soil for indoor hydrangea
You can purchase ready-made substrate at garden supply stores. This option is recommended for inexperienced gardeners, as it allows you to eliminate mistakes when making your own soil mixture. To make your own soil for hydrangea, you need to know the exact composition.
You will need:
- peat;
- turf and leaf soil;
- sand.
The ratio of components is determined based on the size and age of the bush.A drainage layer should be left at the bottom of the pot. It is necessary to ensure the outflow of fluid and prevent stagnation.
The finished soil mixture must be sterilized by heat treatment. The need for such a procedure is explained by the fact that harmful microorganisms or small insect pests can get into the substrate in a place with soil. They can not only infect hydrangea, but also spread to other indoor plants, causing disease.
Hydrangea can be grown as a garden type or on a windowsill as a houseplant
At home, the easiest way to sterilize soil is in the oven. It is enough to expose the soil to heat at a temperature of +80 degrees for 1 hour.
You can reduce the duration of the process. Heat the oven to 200 degrees, put the soil mixture there for 10 minutes. Thanks to heat treatment, any pathogenic microorganisms die along with weed seeds that may have entered with the soil. The disadvantage of this method is that along with harmful bacteria, substances valuable to the plant are also destroyed.
What kind of soil is needed for hydrangea in the garden
Ordinary soil is not suitable for such a plant. One of the main reasons is the content of a large amount of organic substances. An additional factor is regular watering with hard water, which is not suitable for many ornamental plants.
The composition of soil for garden hydrangea includes:
- fresh black soil;
- turf land;
- peat crumb;
- leaf humus;
- sand.
The described components are mixed in equal proportions.Separate holes are prepared for each plant. The depth varies depending on the size of the seedling. The bottom of the hole is covered with a drainage layer.
The flower loves light, warmth and a special substrate
When planting in open ground, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the site. Even if the soil for garden hydrangea is prepared correctly, a number of factors can affect the quality of development or cause the death of the bush.
The bushes should be well lit by the sun. Therefore, planting them in dark places is prohibited. Lack of light leads to a shortening of the flowering period. Also, the landing site should be protected from strong winds.
How to prepare the soil for hydrangea
There are several rules that should be followed when planting a plant in the ground. The general procedure for hydrangeas is not much different from other flowers.
Main stages of preparation:
- Digging up the soil at the planting site.
- Application of mineral fertilizers.
- Making a soil mixture with the addition of sand and peat.
- Adding substances to maintain soil nutrition.
To plant hydrangeas, dig holes 35-40 cm deep in advance. You need to pour prepared soil inside the hole, water it thoroughly and leave it for several days. Before planting hydrangeas, it is necessary to determine the degree of acidity. For this purpose, a special apparatus is used or indicator tests are used.
Acidity should not exceed 6.0 pH. Otherwise, the hydrangea leaves will turn yellow. At the same time, low acidity will cause the flowers to fade and the plant itself will develop very slowly. Therefore, the recommended acidity is 5-5.5 pH.
After planting the seedlings, it is necessary to mulch the soil.This promotes better hydrangea hydration and nutrient retention. For mulching, use compost, foliage of coniferous plants or peat chips.
The plant can be planted in May and September, provided the weather is warm and there is no rain.
It is recommended to plant in open ground in late spring. In May, the plant is planted when persistent warm weather sets in, provided there is no heavy rain. The procedure can also be carried out in September. However, this option is only relevant for regions with a warm climate and a late onset of frost.
General recommendations for planting garden hydrangeas:
Advice from experienced gardeners
A number of recommendations will help you grow beautiful hydrangeas indoors or in open areas. In addition to proper soil preparation and planting flowers, it is necessary to provide comprehensive and thorough care.
Hydrangeas require periodic replanting. The urgent need for such a procedure arises if an unsuitable place for cultivation is chosen. Indoor hydrangeas also require regular replanting. The root system develops quickly and becomes cramped in the pot. Replanting is best done in the fall so that the bush has time to adapt to the new place before the cold weather.
Hydrangea should be watered no more than once a week to prevent water from stagnating in the soil.
Another important recommendation is to adhere to the watering regime.Hydrangea needs a lot of liquid. At the same time, the flower grows well only if water does not stagnate in the soil. Therefore, regular watering is necessary - once a week. It is important to ensure that after the procedure the water is quickly absorbed by the soil and does not stand near the roots. If the liquid does not drain away within a short period of time, this indicates that the soil has become very compacted.
Experienced gardeners recommend covering garden hydrangeas for the winter. Autumn pruning is carried out beforehand, during which dry and damaged shoots are removed. Fallen leaves are collected from under the bush. Otherwise, they begin to rot in the soil, causing stagnation of liquid and creating conditions for the appearance of pests.
It is recommended to cover the bush with plastic wrap. It has good thermal insulation properties and at the same time allows sunlight to pass through. The soil around the bush should be covered with straw, coniferous leaves or sawdust, which do not retain moisture and protect the flower from low temperatures.
Before wintering, fertilize the soil. Mineral fertilizers are useful for hydrangeas. Organic feeding is best done in the spring, after the soil has warmed up. This promotes the formation of buds and subsequent abundant flowering.
Conclusion
The soil for hydrangea must meet several criteria, otherwise the plant will develop poorly and often get sick. The substrate for planting such flowers can be purchased in stores or made independently. The soil mixture must necessarily include peat, sand, soil and be supplemented with minerals.In addition to proper soil preparation, such a plant requires comprehensive care, including replanting, regular watering and shelter for the winter.
