Coffee grounds have long been used as a soil conditioner for plants with varying degrees of success. Some plants don't like it, but hydrangeas benefit from this soil additive. Coffee grounds contain nitrogen, and they can increase soil acidity. Both are of interest to hydrangea plants. Adding used coffee grounds to the soil of plants can also improve the quality of the soil. Below we will explain how to fertilize hydrangeas with coffee grounds, what benefits you can expect, how often you should add it, whether it is suitable for potted hydrangea plants, and how to change hydrangea flower color with coffee grounds.
Hydrangeas like slightly acidic soil, and coffee grounds can help change the pH of the soil so that it is less alkaline and more acidic. Using a pH meter or soil testing kit, you can determine the pH of the soil and make necessary changes depending on the desired result. If youYour hydrangeasWhen you fertilize with coffee grounds, you can also expect the following benefits:
- Improving soil quality by addingorganic substancesto the floor
- Better moisture retention, which is good for hydrangeas
- The coffee grounds are rich in nitrogen and promote the development of stems, leaves and roots.
- When composted, coffee grounds can also be used to improve soil drainage.
- Coffee grounds can be useful for earthworms, which in turn help improve soil quality.
- You can use the coffee grounds after brewing, but you can also throw them in a compost pile and use them in composted form. This allows you to maximize the benefits.
When can the effects on the plants be observed?
The way you brew your coffee grounds can also affect the acidity of the coffee grounds. In most brewing methods, a significant portion of the acid content is washed out and the coffee grounds retain only a residual amount of acid. However, it can affect soil acidity, but the effects are only seen with repeated application over time.
How often should you use the fertilizer
When composting coffee grounds, simply use them whenever you would otherwise compostinto the soil of your hydrangeaswould give. Add the compost in spring, at the beginning of the growing season, and sometimes even in mid-summer. Adding compost 2-3 times a year is usually enough to keep your hydrangea plants happy. If you use coffee grounds without composting them first, you can add a few cups per week depending on the size of the bush. However, you don't need to overdo it. Too much coffee grounds can lead to an excess of nitrogen in the soil, which can cause problems with plant development and even attract pests and insects.
Adding too much coffee can also alter the pH balance of the soil and cause other undesirable effects such as: B. retaining too much moisture and adding too much residual caffeine to the soil, which young plants may not like. If you have a pH meter, you can check the soil pH regularly to see if you are overdoing it or not. In general, hydrangeas prefer soil with a pH between 6 and 6.5. A lot also depends on the size of the bush. A mature plant will not be negatively affected by a few cups of coffee grounds that you may sprinkle over the soil each week. As already mentioned, you should not overdo it with coffee on young plants.
Can you use coffee grounds for potted hydrangeas
Try to avoid using coffee grounds on potted plants. There are at least two reasons for this. First, it can stink, especially when damp. And hydrangeas like moist soil. Second, wet coffee grounds can be a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi, which you'll definitely want to avoid. However, you can still use coffee grounds for potted hydrangeas if you keep a few things in mind. Composted coffee grounds are more suitable for potted plants because they reduce many of the problems associated with regular coffee grounds, such as odor, residual caffeine, too much acid, and too much moisture. Mixing potting soil with coffee grounds improves soil aeration and drainage. However, if you occasionally sprinkle coffee grounds over your hydrangeas' potting soil, you won't notice any disadvantages. Watch how your plants react.
How to change the color of hydrangeas with coffee grounds
Add coffee grounds to the soil around your hydrangeas in late fall. Scatter it around your plants, but be sure to work it into the soil to avoid an unpleasant smell. You don't need to do this process often - two to three times a year should be enough. How long does it take for hydrangeas to turn blue? If you pour the coffee grounds left over in the morning onto the hydrangea soil, the plants will not bloom blue in the afternoon. It will take some time - especially if you have brand new baby hydrangeas that may not bloom for a few years. It's best to start months in advanceBeginning of the flowering periodwith the addition of coffee grounds to the soil, preferably in late autumn. You can repeat the process using your usual fertilizing schedule.
The first step toward blue hydrangea is choosing a variety that can produce blue flowers. Oak leaf hydrangeas (Hydrangea quercifolia), Annabelle hydrangeas (Hydrangea arborescens) and peegee (Hydrangea paniculata 'Grandiflora') all bloom white andchange their colorregardless of the pH value of the soil. However, if you have French hydrangeas or lacecaps (Hydrangea macrophylla normalis), then you can have success!
