pink hydrangea?

Discussion in 'Woody Plants' started by 2annbrow, Oct 24, 2009.

  1. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    I have a beautiful hydrangea that was given to me by a neighbor, who grew it from a cutting of her own. Originally it was a deep pinkish-red; now the flowers are shading toward magenta to dark purple. It is growing in a mix of sand and well-composted road cuttings (got those free from when the Public Utility folks trim stuff back from the road so drivers can see better.) Quite a ways down, the soil base is sandstone and very heavy yellow clay.
    Are there any natural (or safe commercial) conditioners I can add to the soil to feed this hydrangea and support its pink-red color?
     
  2. Silver surfer

    Silver surfer Generous Contributor 10 Years

    Messages:
    3,988
    Likes Received:
    313
    Location:
    PERTHSHIRE. SCOTLAND.UK
  3. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    Yes, yes! Those were exactly what I needed! Is it already too late to change next year's flower color? Buds have started to form. Nonetheless, I will use bone meal, etc., and be patient. Eden on earth can't be grown in a day. [They also had some very helpful pruning information!]
    Thank you, Silver surfer!
     
  4. Ron B

    Ron B Paragon of Plants 10 Years

    Messages:
    21,250
    Likes Received:
    786
    Location:
    WA USA (Z8)
  5. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    But isn't lime acidic?
     
  6. chimera

    chimera Well-Known Member 10 Years

    Messages:
    1,771
    Likes Received:
    62
    Location:
    Fraser Valley, B.C. ,Canada
    No, Alkaline.
     
  7. 2annbrow

    2annbrow Active Member

    Messages:
    178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    North Bend OR US;Oregon coast, just N of Coos Bay
    OK, lime I can get, I think. What about Epsom salts, which I keep for my roses? Would that be acidic, or basic? I mean alkaline! I confuse the two - long time since high scool chemistry!
     
  8. smivies

    smivies Active Member

    Messages:
    793
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Kingston, Ontario, Canada
    Epsom salt dissolved in water is only slightly acidic (pH - 6.0) and not enough to be of any use in the garden. It's used to remedy Magnesium deficiencies in soil and will not change your purple Hydrangeas to pink.
     

Share This Page