A gardening expert has shared a simple and natural way to ensure that your hydrangeas don’t wither – and it only requires one additional step when you’re watering them
Garden enthusiasts who’ve struggled with wilting hydrangeas might need to rethink their watering technique, according to a gardening aficionado on TikTok, who’s shared a tip that could keep them from withering.
The gardening expert pointed out that the use of tap water for hydrangeas can lead to their demise within two months due to its alkaline nature, which clashes with the plant’s preference for acidity.
How to grow better hydrangeas
On TikTok, BotanicKing said: “Hydrangea is a typical plant that prefers acidic conditions and requires regular acid supplementation.
“Tap water is slightly alkaline, and watering the plant with it for a long time will lead to yellow leaves, leaf drop, and no flowering.”
BotanicKing recommends the addition of iron sulphate to the watering routine, saying: “The correct method is to give [the plant] one spoon of iron sulphate diluted with water every seven days.
“Water it into the potting soil. Maintaining the slightly acidic condition of the soil will ensure that the hydrangea grows well.”
If soils become too alkaline, hydrangeas suffer severe deficiencies when essential nutrients such as iron become unavailable. Sulphate of iron enriches and unlocks these nutrients from the soil.
The pH of the soil needs monitoring every year to check whether it needs amending. To determine the pH value of your soil, do a pH test – you can buy testing kits from a variety of different suppliers, either online or in some garden centres and hardware stores.
The gardener also notes this method isn’t just beneficial for hydrangeas but applies to other acidophilic plants such as camellias, osmanthus, bougainvillaeas, jasmine, and roses, reports the Express.
Commenters on the video have chipped in with their soil acidity tips, with one user suggesting the incorporation of sand into potting mixtures for an increased acidic environment.
Meanwhile, some have proposed using lemon juice, coffee grounds, and acidic water from water machines.