COLOUR VARIATIONS IN HYDRANGEAS

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 11

COLOUR VARIATIONS IN HYDRANGEAS

For those requiring blue in hvdrangeas where pink is the rule, the plants should be treated with sulphate of iron either applied direct to the soil or used as a liquid manure. The quantity used must be determined by each grower according to his own particular conditions, as much more would be required in limestone soils than in sandstone country. Care must be taken not to overdo this chemical, as an overdose may easily cause trouble. A dessentspoonful to four gallons of water or a small handful erushed and very lightly spread round the p.ant may i>. used as a starting point, and increased or reduced according to results. It may be noted as a matter of interest that the writer’s own experience bears out in a very decided way the scientific theory outlined by Mr Atkins. In the last few years a large number of new hydrangeas have been imported from England. On arrival they were planted in a heavy iron stone soil which shows an acid 'reaction. The first year’s flowers all proved true to English descriptions, and many beautiful red and pink colours were produced. Each blooming since then on the same plants has been of all the blue shades imaginable. Cuttings taken from Parsifal, for instance, and planted in a soil free from iron give rich pink or red flowers, but in the ironstone soil are deep blue. Tn some cases pink and blue are produced on the one plant, which is clear evidence the plant in question is getting in some quarter of its root system a little iron, but not sufficient to make the whole crop blue.