As a gardener, you’re always looking for ways to improve your plants’ health and vitality. Whether it’s using organic methods or finding new ways to combat pests, there’s always something you can do to help your plants reach their full potential.
Hydrangeas are stunning flowers that come in a variety of colors, including pink, blue, and purple. They’re a popular choice for bouquets and gardens, and they’re relatively easy to care for. However, like all plants, they can sometimes suffer from nutrient deficiencies.
One common gardening question is whether or not eggshells are good for hydrangeas. While the jury is still out on this one, we’ve gathered all the information you need to make an informed decision for your own garden.
Should You Use Eggshells for Hydrangeas?
Hydrangeas come in various colors, and they’re a popular choice for bouquets and gardens. While eggshells are often used by gardeners to supplement the nutrients in their plants, hydrangeas benefit differently from eggshells.
In fact, eggshells are being used to help change the flower’s colors!
Hydrangeas and their flowers mainly depend on aluminum for their blue color. The pink and purple hydrangeas, on the other hand, have a lower aluminum concentration. Highly acidic soil will produce blue flowers, while alkaline soil will result in pink or purple blooms.
How Do Eggshells Help Change the Color of Hydrangeas?
As it turns out, the flowers may color differently depending on the soil’s components. Lower pH levels can turn the flowers blue (acidic), and higher pH levels (alkaline) turns the flowers pink.
It will slowly become more alkaline if you crush the eggshells and add them to the soil. This change in the pH level may eventually result in pinker flowers.
Of course, this method takes time and patience, so don’t expect to see results overnight. It may take several weeks or even months for the eggshells to affect the color of your hydrangeas.
Eggshells will gradually help break down the soil’s acidity. Lower acidity means that the plant won’t be able to absorb aluminum. When this happens, it results in beautiful pink-flowered hydrangeas.
To use eggshells for this purpose, simply crush them and sprinkle them around the base of the plant. You can also add them to your compost pile. If you decide to add eggshells to your compost pile, make sure to crush them first. This will speed up the process and help your plants benefit from the eggshells more quickly.
It’s important to note that you shouldn’t use too many eggshells. A little goes a long way, and too much can actually harm your plants. Start with a small amount and increase it gradually as needed.
Additionally, it’s also ideal that using eggshells from organic, free-range eggs can make a big difference. These eggs have a higher nutrient content, which means that your plants will get more benefits from them.
How Do Eggshells Help Hydrangeas?
Aside from its ability to help change the flower’s colors, eggshells are an excellent source of calcium carbonate. This is crucial for plant growth. Calcium carbonate helps the plant build strong cell walls, which is essential for new growth.
When the plant doesn’t have enough calcium, it results in weak and stunted growth. This is why adding eggshells to your hydrangeas can also help them grow healthy and strong.
Are Eggshells Good for Hydrangeas? Final Thoughts
Generally speaking, eggshells are good for hydrangeas. They help change the flower’s color and provide essential nutrients that promote healthy growth. However, it’s important to use them in moderation. Too much can actually harm your plants.
If you’re looking to add eggshells to your garden, we recommend starting with a small amount and gradually adding more whenever needed.
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