What fertilizer for hydrangeas?

14 years ago

I haven't fertilized yet. What should I be using? I have a Forever and Ever Blue Heaven hydrangea, my first, so I don't want to screw it up :)

Featured Answer

seamommy

14 years ago

Seaside Beginner, 10-10-10 refers to the ratio of nutrients in the fertilizer which are always in the same order N-P-K, or Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. These are basic requirements to almost all growing things. Some plants need more Nitrogen so you would look for 10-5-5, others more Potassium, so you might look for 4-3-12. Always check the NPK ratios on fertilizers before you put them on your plants and remember, some is good, but more is not better. Often less is better because too much fertilizer (especially synthetic fertilizers) will kill the plant. Most professionals recommend using roughly half the amount recommended on the package label. The recomendations come from the folks who make money from the products and they want you to use as much as you can, so you'll buy some more real soon. The recommendation gives the max amount you can use and not kill everything. So cut the dose in half and your plants will respond.

Chemical (or synthetic) fertilizers can do a lot of damage if not applied correctly. However, you can put as much organic compost on your plants as you want to and not hurt them. You can plant your most tender plants in nothing but good quality, finished compost and they will thrive. If you make your own compost you will know exactly what's in it and you can use it for just about everything. Compost will have a low NPK rating but it will be well balanced and mild. It also improves the tilth of your soil by adding organic material and will attract earthworms if it was made with lots of leaves and containes leaf mold. Earthworms are great for the soil and they also improve tilth and fertility of the soil.

Cheryl

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Comments (14)

hydrangeasnohio
14 years ago
10-10-10 in mid to early Spring. But don't over do it. Then no more till next Spring! Pretty easy!
whaas_5a
14 years ago
Yeah I use ~10-10-10 for everything...or least for the few plants that I do fertilize.
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
They don't require a lot of fertilizer - most woody plants (trees and shrubs) grow very well with minimal supplemental fertilization. Usually, just mulching well with compost is sufficient. If you want to encourage bluer flower color, you could use a fert formulated for acid loving plants, often referred to as Rhododendron, Azalea and Camellia fertilizer (i.e., something like HollyTone).
seaside_beginner
14 years ago
Ok, so like the name says...I am a beginner..what is 10-10-10?
torrejon224
14 years ago
We have three large ones and every March/April, I just toss down a good coT of steer manure mixed with some mushroom compost and just prior to blom hit them with a spray of Miracle Grow. Works like a charm. Any fertilizer for rhodies, azealeas, ect will work.
Lalala (zone 6b)
14 years ago
Any recommendations for organic fertilizers? Would holly tone (4-3-4) or plant tone (5-3-3) be good?
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
14 years ago
10-10-10 is what is considered an all purpose fertilizer - can be used on any plant. But with numbers that high, this will be a synthetic rather than organic formulation and can be very fast acting and could even burn if applied improperly. I'd look for a similar organic product first....ratio will be lower - 4-4-4 or 5-5-5.

And yes, the Holly-tone is an excellent choice for hydrangeas (even more desirable than an all-purpose fert). Plant-tone OK, too. If you can find it in your area, look for Dr. Earth products -- an even better choice.
ditas
14 years ago
Hi - I haven't fertilized any of mine ... just a scoop of cotton burr compost, scratched around the base is all I have done ... no complaints so far, except for Ma Nature's occasional teases that get their feather ruffled!!! LOL then we'll all just have to be patient, right?! The Paniculatas don't seem to get as fazed as the other divas! Such easy going beauties & perhaps a haircut in Spring! Â;)
mehearty
14 years ago
The paniculats get some cow manure laid on top of the soil in early spring (except QuickFire which I try to ignore).

The mycrophyllas get cow manure and a wee bit of super phosphate also in early spring.

I don't add anything else for the rest of the season except extra water when needed.
whaas_5a
14 years ago
mehearty I was going to start adding a thin layer of cow manure. Stuff is dirt cheap from the farms selling to a local hardware chain.
kentstar
Original Author
14 years ago
I just scratched in some Osmocote and watered well. That's it. It's just a baby planted last year, so I believe in taking it easy for a year or two. Let 'em catch his breath lol.
Later on after bloomtime I may water with alfalfa tea, but we'll see how it goes first.
unprofessional
14 years ago
Did about the same with mine - little Osmocote and topdressed with composted manure and mulch on top.
kentstar
Original Author
14 years ago
I got hold of some horse manure that sat all winter. But, I think I'll use that in my compost pile, and then, when that is ready I'll top dress them with the compost.