Re: Hydrangia "Nikko Blue"

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• To: g*@hort.net
• Subject: Re: [CHAT] Hydrangia "Nikko Blue"
• From: "Christopher P. Lindsey" lindsey@mallorn.com
• Date: Thu, 22 Jun 2006 14:56:57 -0500
• In-reply-to: 007d01c69629$992e6d20$6500a8c0@william4e9ze6z
• References: 20060622153137.GA20472@mallorn.com 007d01c69629$992e6d20$6500a8c0@william4e9ze6z

> Chris, could that be why people use the rusty nails?  If they have soil that
> is borderline alkaline, could the iron from the rusty nails enable the plant
> to take up that micronutrient?  Just wondering.

Hi Bonnie,

  The iron *is* the micronutrient, so it could just be that the nails are
  providing iron in an iron-poor soil.

  I really don't see any way that iron could change the pH of the soil,
  but hydrangea color *has* been linked to iron.  And rust forms in more
  acidic environments, so if you put iron nails in soil with a pH of less
  than 8.2 (I think) it might make the iron easier to absorb once it
  oxidizes.

  So...  I'd try the nails *with* sulfur, or fertilize your plants with
  Osmocote professional + micros (which will release copper, iron, etc.
  into the soils).

  I use sulfur, Osmocote pro with micros, 10-10-10, 42-0-0, and super-
  absorbents as additives in my soilless mix for plants.

Chris

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