Any serious gardeners out there?? How do you get hydrangeas to stay blue, I have already used hollytone.?

The soil pH has to be LOWERED, not raised. Lower pH is acidity and that's what they need to turn blue.



Aluminum is one way of lowering pH. Iron or Sulfur are others. the key is re-application. You can't make alkaline soil permanently acid and still have conditions that plants can survive in.



Keep adding the hollytone and look in to aluminum sulfate (you can buy it at better garden centers) and add it to your soil to acidify.



Sorry, Mark, but you have it backwards.

Any serious gardeners out there?? How do you get hydrangeas to stay blue, I have already used hollytone.?
Ammonium Sulphate.
Reply:The pH of the soil has to be alkaline (above 7.0). As the soil gets more acid, you get more red in the flowers, first muddy blue, then gradually redder as the pH drops. You will need to use Calcium Carbonate. Dolomite will not take the soil higher than 7.0 and Gypsum does not raise the soil pH.

Over time the soil tends to get more acid. This is caused by acid from mulches, some fertilizers, and over time the plants themselves gradually acidify the soil. You may have to reapply the lime every 2 or 3 years.
Reply:Changing a hydrangea from pink to blue entails adding aluminum to the soil.

Changing from blue to pink means subtracting aluminum from the soil or taking it out of reach of the hydrangea.
Reply:I know for blue roses you need a high level of boric acid in the soil; I'm not sure if its the same for hydrangeas.

My best advice, call your local garden center. Some garden centers will allow you to bring in a sample of your dirt. Then they'll test it, and discuss with you as to what nutrients your garden is lacking. Thats the best way of handling it.
Reply:Add Epsom Salts, coffee grounds, and tea bags around the drip line.
Reply:I just give Miracle Grow for Hydrangeas/Rhodies/Azaleas. They all love acidity in the soil. Your hydrangeas stay blue.
Reply:I mulch with pine needles and use Miracid...works for me.
Reply:Just sing sad songs to them all the time.