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Would now be a good time to start feeding my Hydrangea

garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 69
in Plants
hi guys - I have a couple of hydrangeas (one is a Runaway Bride in a pot and the other is bog standard in the ground)

they're both putting on fat buds and leaves - so I'm wondering whether now would be a good time to start feeding them?

I have a seeweed extract and fish emulsion in my arsenal

cheers guys

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Hi @garrinchasuperskillzI don't really feed shrubs much, but you could use a bit of slow release fertiliser for the one in the ground. Applying organic matter is better for the soil, and then saves any need for extra food. If I use anything it's BF&Bone.
    Potted shrubs need a lot more care - the top layer of soil refreshed, and then a similar feed. Even the Miracle Gro type of food would do, but the soil medium and water is important, and ensuring the pot has drainage.
    Seaweed is best for foliage, it won't really help with bud formation and flowering. 
    I've no idea what fish emulsion is I'm afraid  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 69
    hi Fairygirl - thanks, that's great
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Nae bother  ;)
    If your soil is poor in any way, adding 'stuff' helps enormously, especially for things like Hydrangeas - shrubs generally   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    As @Fairygirl says, blood, fish and bone is the best option - just a small handful around each plant.

    Fish emulsion is high in Nitrogen, so that's for leafy plants (grass, lettuce, spinach etc). I tried it once - the smell was unbelievable! If you use that on your hydrangea you'll get lots of leaves, and fewer flowers.
    Seaweed extract is a general tonic for plants (and a very good one too).
    You can use that on your hydrangea, but it's more of a tonic and not a fertilizer. Again it contains mostly nitrogen.
    It will keep you plant healthy. I use it on all plants - including houseplants.


    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I would assume the fish stuff stinks - and then attracts even more cats.
    Not something I'd want - it's bad enough as it is!
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • garrinchasuperskillzgarrinchasuperskillz Posts: 69
    Fairygirl said:
    I would assume the fish stuff stinks - and then attracts even more cats.
    Not something I'd want - it's bad enough as it is!
    it's disgusting. makes me urge just mixing it up! it defo loses it's potent whiff once it's applied though. good stuff!
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