skip to main content

Fertilizer

16 years ago

I have a 2 sickly endless summer that I purchesed from Lowes maybe 2 months ago. I was trying to nurse them back to health any tips on doing this. They have been in the grown 2 months with plenty of water should i fertilize with anything or ammend my soil. They still don't look to happy. I planted them next to my house so they only get morning sun.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

luis_pr
16 years ago
Hello, rubies22f. It is the start of fall and they probably did not water them adequately or they exposed them to too much sun at the stores, things that I noticed at my local Lowe's. As a result of those three things, the leaves probably look -well- not nice.

This late in the year, the plants need to prepare to go dormant. The best you can do is NOT to fertilize. Nitrogen in the fertilizer will prevent the plants from going dormant. Instead, keep the soil evenly moist (not wet and not dry) and mulched with 3-4" of mulch. Apply the mulch from the base through the drip line or a little beyond. Water the soil early in the mornings with about 1g of water but do that when the soil feels dry or almost dry.

The leaves and blooms should dry out soon, when the plant goes dormant. Next year, the new leaves (and blooms) will look nicer. If you are located in the northern states, fertilize in early June with a 1/4 to 1/2 cup of manure or cottonseed meal; otherwise fertilize in early May and again in early July (coffee grounds are optional) but cease fertilizing in early August.

Do not prune them either. Hydrangeas develop flower buds starting August-September and pruning now could chop off the flower buds. Luckily, ES will develop more flower buds later in spring so all would not be lost. Deadheading of spent blooms is ok.

Does that help you?
Luis

Here is a link that might be useful: Additional Hydrangea Care Information
rubies22f
Original Author
16 years ago
Yes, thanks for the info I will do that. I just really wanted blooms this year
Related Discussions
Fertilize no fertilize during blooming
Q
Comments (7)
Strictly speaking it depends on if mineral content of soil is currently adequate. However if you think the product you have been using has been a good match then continue on the schedule presented on the product label, regardless of whether the plant is in flower or not. One other factor: if this is an indoor specimen generally fertilization of tropical plants is a summer (growing season) activity, that is dropped during the winter. However the flowering of this example could be taken to indicate it thinks it's time to get started.
...See More
To fertilize or not to fertilize...
Q
Comments (2)
Depends on what you've done up to this point... if you used slow-release fertilizer when you planted out, you should be fine. Most dahlia growers fertilize through the month of August, with strong differences in opinion in what is the accepted amounts of nitrogen and other fertilizer components. As long as you don't blast the plant with tons of fertilizer, it should do fine in any scenario. It is really easy to go overboard and cause problems with too much, though.
...See More
a good fertilizer spreader for fertilizing lawns...?
Q
Comments (6)
Yes, I have one (plastic?) like yours where one opens the holes by holding the device-like on the handle but I also have two older metal ones with the opening gauge that moves/adjusts on the front top of the spreaders. But both seem too have the same size openings: NOT perfectly round but round with a point end! Guess I will try the newer one to see if it may have bigger holes that open bigger. As for the pellet sizes... gee, I find it hard to judge. Perhaps Scotts spreader was made so only their fertilizer will work?! With so much lawn, we use Scotts fertilizer as well as any other brand on sale or cheaper! Thank you for your ideas! -vieja
...See More
Fertilization/reproduction of Milkweed - can it self-fertilize?
Q
Comments (4)
> I plant 3 to 4 of the same species near each other Sounds like a good idea. And yes once had only a single container A. curassavica outdoors in summer with no others in sight. And it did develop seed pods. So I assumed there is no self-incompatibility. > Photo please? Could the very small yellowish "points" seen below each vertex of the central pentagon in the open flower be pollinia showing from the embedded pollinarium?
...See More

Related Stories

GARDENING GUIDES Get on a Composting Kick (Hello, Free Fertilizer!)

By Matt Kilburn

Quit shelling out for pricey substitutes that aren’t even as good. Here’s how to give your soil the best while lightening your trash load

GARDENING GUIDES How to Keep Your Citrus Trees Well Fed and Healthy

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Ripe for some citrus fertilizer know-how? This mini guide will help your lemon, orange and grapefruit trees flourish

GARDENING GUIDES Common Myths That May Be Hurting Your Garden

By J. Peterson Garden Design

Discover the truth about fertilizer, soil, staking and more to keep your plants healthy and happy

GARDENING GUIDES How to Switch to an Organic Landscape Plan

By Falon Mihalic

Ditch the chemicals for a naturally beautiful lawn and garden, using living fertilizers and other nontoxic treatments

LANDSCAPE DESIGN A Guide to the Grasses Available for Nontraditional Lawns

By Falon Mihalic

New grass mixes are formulated to require less water and less fertilizer

GARDENING GUIDES 5 Prairie Wildflowers That Can Heal Your Soil

By Benjamin Vogt / Monarch Gardens

Get free, organic soil fertilizer with nitrogen-pumping plants that draw pollinators too

REGIONAL GARDEN GUIDES Southeast Gardener's September Checklist

By Gardening with Confidence®

Fertilize strawberries, plant a tree or two and beckon hummingbirds to your Southern garden this month

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's February Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Orange you glad for a citrus-fertilizing reminder? And don't forget the recommended doses of vegetable seeds and cold-hardy flowers

GARDENING GUIDES Southwest Gardener's August Checklist

By Noelle Johnson Landscape Consulting

Manage monsoon effects, remember to fertilize and don't let the heat deter you from planting for fall

GARDENING GUIDES Pacific Northwest Gardener: What to Do in September

Put in cool-weather veggies, fertilize your lawn and tidy the garden this month before chilly weather arrives

Sponsored

J.Holderby - Renovations

4 Reviews

Franklin County's Leading General Contractors - 2X Best of Houzz!

More Discussions

Transplanting Hydrangea

0

How to clean the fence -hydrangeas planted

3

When to add fertilizer? Zone 6b

3

Hydrangea bobo vs. hydrangea little hottile.

2

"Little Spooky" hydrangea

1