How and what to acidify the soil for blueberries in the country, sour peat, how often it is necessary to water with acidified water

What kind of soil do blueberries like?

Blueberries grow in swamps, and therefore acidic, well-moistened soil is suitable for growing at home. Like other plants of the heather family, it is not easy to take root in a new place. However, if it is possible to provide the blueberries with proper care, then already 3 years after planting, they will delight the owners with the first berries.

The main requirement for the soil is the presence of drainage, designed to relieve the berry from stagnant water. Blueberries are not afraid of the proximity of the groundwater, but from the long stagnation of water on the surface, it will inevitably die.

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A moisture-loving plant does not need competitors in moisture consumption, and therefore there should not be large fruit trees nearby. She feels most comfortable on sandy loam soils, peat bogs, covered with an impressive layer of litter from last year's foliage.

Note. Blueberries will not be able to grow on alumina and loam due to regular stagnation of water and poor air permeability.

Soil composition

Ideal soil for a berry plant should contain:

high-moor peat (50%),
humus based on spruce needles,
soil from under the conifers.

She will also like this mixture: rotted foliage, high moor peat, river sand, sawdust or bark of conifers. In this case, the soil should be loose and acidic. If the soil on the site has a neutral or slightly alkaline pH, blueberries will not be able to grow fully. The acidity level must be artificially brought to around 4.

When planting several bushes at once, you need to keep a distance: at least two square meters should fall on one plant. m. of land.

Blueberry acidifiers

Acidification should be done when the acidity of the planting substrate is higher than that at which the plant is doing well. Blueberries prefer a pH value of about 4.5, and in order to bring it to this state, you first need to adjust this indicator to an inert level - for example, fill the space near the trunk with sawdust of coniferous trees or their bark, and then acidify it with natural substances or special preparations.

To maintain the effect obtained, the gardener it is necessary to abandon the introduction of manure, natural compost, as well as fertilizers containing calcium and magnesium under the bushes of blueberries. Maintaining the correct pH level of the soil is possible only with constant monitoring: it is necessary to observe the substrate and plants, as well as to carry out control measurements of the soil at least once a year. If the measured value deviates from the desired value, measures must be taken to re-acidify the garden beds.

Peat

The natural pH value of peat fluctuates between 3-5, which makes it possible, after mixing it in half with the soil, to obtain a substrate of very good quality.

There are several types of peat:

Highly acidic - is formed from mosses Sphagnopsida sphagnum in conditions of high humidity, in the lower soil layer, has strong hygroscopic properties.It is colored brown and has a pH of 3.0 to 4.5.
Lowland - occurs quite often in nature, usually in the floodplains of rivers, where it forms acid meadows. Formed from dying aquatic plants such as sedges, grasses and bottom mud. Its pH is neutral or slightly alkaline and is around 7.0. Differs in almost black color.
Intermediate or transitional - combines the characteristics of lowland and surface peat and is slightly acidic. Typically used in horticulture to acidify planting substrates. This variety is created when the water ceases to reach the level of lowland peat, after which the lower layer begins to be supplemented by vegetation of surface peatlands.

The value of peat lies in its ability to absorb and store water in large quantities, which leads to rationing of water supply in both heavy and light soils. Its use on sandy soils allows to establish a water supply to plants, while its use on clayey soils helps to absorb excess moisture.

Important! Coniferous sawdust and bark are mistakenly considered a kind of "panacea" that can effectively acidify the soil, but in fact they only lower the pH within the root zone.

In its natural form, the substrate has no nutritional value. To acidify blueberries, it is necessary to mix soil with peat in a 1: 1 ratio at a depth of 15–20 cm. The method gives the best results when the procedure is carried out in autumn.

"Tiovit Jet"

Ready-to-use acidifying preparations can be used both for pouring and for irrigation after dissolving them in water. These products have the significant advantage that they can be applied throughout the entire growing season of the plant. To obtain the most suitable result, at the same time as applying the preparations, you must constantly monitor the pH level of the soil under the blueberry bushes.

The acidification method should be chosen based on the type of soil and its pH. The fastest and most effective way is the use of granular or powdered sulfur, which is contained, for example, in the Tiovit Jet preparation. This product needs to be poured or poured under a growing blueberry bush several times a year. Sulfur interacts with bacteria in the soil and gradually forms small amounts of sulfuric acid, which acidifies the soil.

Orthophosphoric acid

Phosphoric (orthophosphoric) acid can be used as fertilizer for various crops, as well as to increase the acidity of the substrate. If it is concentrated, then the dosage should be no more than 18 g per 10 liters of water. As a liquid fertilizer for blueberries, phosphoric acid and ammophos are used, which are applied in turn.

Acidity

Garden blueberries are very demanding on the level of acidity of the soil. The optimum pH for her = 4.5. This acidified soil is suitable for growing very few garden crops. But the humus in the ground, the berry grower needs more than 4%. Blueberries will easily take root on light sandy loam soils, peat bogs, as well as well-drained soils, where there is an impressive layer of leaf litter.

Clay and loamy soil types are very difficult for blueberries due to their extreme moisture capacity and very low water permeability. Its best predecessors are garden crops that do not need additional liming.

Hydrangea care

Care rules are linked to specific cultural preferences. Garden hydrangea needs regular watering and a special substrate.In addition, she loves light and warmth, and is also picky about the choice of neighbors.

For hydrangea, places are chosen near the hedge, fence, on the south side of the house. The open area should not be shaded by the crowns of tall trees. There should be enough space for young bushes to grow. Neighboring crops are chosen so that the roots do not grow in breadth and do not compete for food and moisture. Exclude landings in areas where through winds are walking. Bushes can grow up to 4 m, so a strong wind can break branches and damage inflorescences.

An important point when choosing a place. The shrub is picky about light: in the morning it needs full sunlight, in the afternoon, incomplete shading is preferable. The scorching sun leads to shrinking and wilting of flowers.

Hydrangea needs regular watering. In summer, when the air temperature exceeds + 27-28 °, watering is carried out daily. The soil is moistened in the morning by basal watering. In the evening, the bushes are watered by spraying or sprinkling. The bushes are not resistant to droughts, and also do not tolerate stagnation of water, therefore, they exclude planting in lowlands where moisture accumulates.

To establish lush flowering, follow the feeding scheme. In the spring, the soil is fertilized with organic matter. Then mineral mixtures are added to build up the green mass and form the buds. At the peak of flowering, organic matter is added again. The type of mixture, the frequency of fertilizing completely depend on the composition of the soil. Some elements of the mixtures affect the alkalization of the medium, which is detrimental to all species, therefore, the addition of dolomite, limestone, chalk is avoided.

One of the important conditions for caring for a crop. In the spring, shaping pruning is mandatory. In young bushes, buds are cut off, this stimulates budding, old bushes are made with rejuvenating pruning. The bushes often form as balls (large-leaved, treelike) or elongated candles (paniculate).

Agrotechnical technique, carried out to retain moisture inside, helps to maintain the level of acidity of the soil at the same time. For a layer of mulch, coniferous needles, pine bark or high moor peat are used.

Regular loosening of the top layer increases the conductivity of air and moisture, which is especially important for the crop. The soil under the bushes is loosened after abundant watering, after rains, combined with a change in the mulch layer.

The bushes are divided, bred by cuttings or layering. Planting rooted cuttings begins with soil preparation.

How to acidify the soil?

Due to regular abundant watering, the acidity level of the soil decreases over time. Therefore, when planting, special preparations are introduced to acidify the soil. Products containing sulfur are perfect.

Usually it is a yellow or colorless powdery substance. It does not need to be dissolved beforehand. The dry powder is simply embedded in the soil on the bayonet of the shovel. The amount of the drug is determined by the needs of a particular soil; you can calculate it according to the instructions on the package. Sulfur fertilizers are used twice a year: in the spring and autumn.

Note. Over time, sulfur will begin to dissolve and acidify the soil.

Some gardeners maintain acidity by daily watering the soil with acidified water. To do this, take lemon (3 large spoons for 5 liters of water), oxalic (a small spoon for 3000 ml of water) or malic acid (1/2 cup per bucket of water), vinegar solution (a glass of 9% vinegar is diluted in a bucket of water).

Is it possible to water hydrangea with citric acid and vinegar

Slightly acidic and medium acidic soil is best suited for growing a plant.... The acidity level of the soil affects the flowering of the hydrangea. So, if the pH is kept within 5.5 units, the bush will bloom profusely and as richly as possible. If the indicators are below this norm, the natural pink color will change to blue.At pH 5.5–6.5, the petals will turn purple. If the acidity level exceeds 6.5 units, the inflorescences will acquire a rich red hue.

Important! On alkaline soils, hydrangea grows poorly and begins to suffer from chlorosis, therefore it is highly undesirable to exceed the acidity level of 7 units.

Before you start changing the acid balance of the soil, you need to check the pH level... This can be done by adding a small amount of vinegar 9% to the soil. If the soil is too acidic, a characteristic foam forms on the surface. In this case, it can be slightly acidified with slaked lime. To do this, in the fall, you need to loosen the area around the plant and evenly scatter 300 g of lime per 1 m².

You can also check the soil balance with litmus paper. If the soil acidity level is acceptable (pH 5.5), it can be maintained by watering the plant with a solution of citric acid or vinegar... Soil acidification methods are described in detail below.

Preparation for planting seedlings

The most suitable place for planting is a virgin plot of a vegetable garden. It is not recommended to plant a berry plant after crops that require regular liming. Also, do not choose low-lying areas where water constantly stagnates. In such conditions, blueberries will not be able to grow and will soon die from root decay. For the same reason, heavy alumina is not suitable for its cultivation.

A plot for blueberries must be chosen sunny. If you place the seedling in the shade, then you can not wait for the berries from such a bush, or they will be small and very sour. The berries need the sun to gain sweetness.

In addition, in shaded areas, the berries develop very slowly and do not have time to properly prepare for the winter period.

Planting pit preparation

When preparing the planting pit, they rely primarily on the type of soil where the blueberries are to grow.

They pull it out about 14-21 days before the intended planting of the berry. The optimal pit shape is round.

For light loamy soils, with a groundwater level of 200 cm, the diameter of the pit should not exceed 65 cm, and the depth - 45 cm.For heavy loamy soil, the diameter of the pit is increased, and the depth, on the contrary, is reduced to 0.2 m. will provoke unwanted stagnation of water.

On alumina, berry seedlings are planted with ridges: the pit is made shallow (up to 10 cm), with a mound of river sand, coniferous sawdust and peat. A seedling is placed in the middle, and so that its rhizomes are located at the same level with the surface of the soil. From above, the bush is covered with a layer of coniferous sawdust mulch, at least 12 cm thick.

Sandstone and peat soil require different conditions. A planting hole is dug with a width of 100 cm, a depth of 50 cm. A previously prepared, well-mixed acidic substrate is poured into it. As an acidifier, sulfur-containing preparations are used (in an amount of at least 50 g).

How can you mulch the soil under blueberries

The best blueberry mulch is to mimic the natural forest floor. This is a mixture of rotten leaves, dry and rotted needles, peat, small sections of their bark of coniferous and deciduous trees. Such a pillow protects well the surface roots of blueberries from damage and winter cold, and is also an additional source of nutrients to the soil. And mulch also acidifies the soil, acts as an insulating layer that prevents the soil from drying out in the root zone and blocks the growth of weeds.

For mulching the root zone, you can also use ordinary dry high peat. You can add small sawdust, dry hay or straw to it.Some components of the mulch rot rather quickly, so the condition of the root zone must be monitored. The thickness of the mulching layer should be 5-10 cm.

Useful Tips

Three points that will help you get a good harvest.

Do not plant blueberry bushes in pure peat soil. Inexperienced gardeners in this way try to create conditions for a wild habitat, forgetting that they are planting a garden specimen, not a forest one. In addition, peat tends to freeze strongly in the winter season. This will certainly affect the berry. If he manages to survive in frosts, then the process of coming out of a state of dormancy will be delayed. Accordingly, the plant will not be able to prepare for the next winter and will inevitably die.
Alumina is not suitable for blueberry cultivation. However, a berry can also exist on them. The main condition for its normal development is good drainage, which will avoid stagnant water and root rot.
If the blueberry has taken root, but it grows slowly, the foliage turns pale, then there are several reasons: a deficiency of nitrogen in the soil or an unsuitable level of acidity. It is necessary to apply fertilizers and acidulants.

How not to harm hydrangeas

The soil composition is very important when growing hydrangeas. It depends on him not only how quickly the flower will grow, but also how it will bloom.

In order for the hydrangea to please its owner, it is necessary to create the right conditions:

Choose the right place;
Prepare nutrient soil;
Water in a timely manner;
Apply fertilizers;
Carry out pruning.

Hydrangea grows well on acidified, well-fertilized soil, needs regular watering, but without moisture stagnation and timely pruning. She is responsive to the right growing conditions and thanks for them with bright colors for a long time.

How to maintain the resulting acid-base balance

As the panicle hydrangea grows, the acidity of the soil on the site changes. Indicators may deviate from the norm. To maintain the pH at a given level, irrigation with citric, succinic and oxalic acid solutions is used. The preparations are able to maintain the acid-base balance, favorable for hydrangeas.

Mulching with peat and needles throughout the entire period of growth and flowering contributes to an increase in acidity. The mulch layer is renewed annually, replacing the substrate completely or thickening it. This rule also applies to compost from oak leaves, which is used for mulching plantings.

The mulch layer needs to be renewed

How to care for and what to bring into the soil in the off-season

The next year after planting, it is necessary to feed. Complex feeding includes ammonium sulfate (90 grams), superphosphates (110 grams), potassium sulfate (40 grams). The ingredients are mixed and applied under each bush in the spring..

Pruning, watering and disease control are also important components of care.

Pruning is carried out in the third year after planting, to improve crop growth. Remove dried shoots, thin out the crown if necessary. If the bushes are tall, then they are formed, giving the crown a complete harmonious look.
Watering is carried out in such a way that the bushes are always in moist, but not waterlogged soil. Do not allow it to dry out or liquid stagnation. Watering is recommended once every three days. With the onset of hot days, the frequency is increased and spraying of the bushes with cool water is added.
To protect against diseases and for preventive purposes, the bushes are treated with drugs - fungicides (Euparen or Topsin).

Rules for planting and watering blueberries

Healthy planting material is the key to active growth of the shrub. Young two-year-old seedlings are suitable for planting. The root system must be closed. Saplings are planted in the spring or autumn.

For young seedlings, it is important to choose a windless, well-heated area. In the sun, the plant will grow well, the berry will ripen sweet, the bushes will be healthy.

Instructions for planting blueberry seedlings:

Site selection: soil preparation, fertilization, determination of the acidity level; digging, loosening;
It is necessary to dig holes (diameter - 1 m, depth - 0.5 m), the distance between them is 1.5 m. Pour a peat mixture from high-moor peat and coniferous sawdust into the hole, do not tamp the layer;
It is good to moisten the earthen lump around the roots of the seedling, if it is very dense, then gently knead it, but so that it does not crumble. There are important mushrooms in the ground, which in the future will participate in the nutrition of the bush;
Pour 5 liters of water into the hole, place a seedling in the middle, sprinkle the empty space with earth, tamp the earth a little near the bush;
Mulch the hole with a layer of coniferous sawdust, make the mulching layer 5-10 cm. The procedure will avoid the appearance of weeds.
Loosening is carried out for better air permeability, which is important for the root system. The roots are located close to the surface of the ground, so loosen should be done carefully so as not to injure the bush. Weeding must be done manually, without gardening tools. After removing the weeds, water and mulch the hole.

After planting a young seedling for the next season, you will need to apply fertilizer. You can make mineral fertilizing yourself. Manufacturing proportion:

Ammonium sulfate (90 g);
Superphosphate (110 g);
Potassium sulfate (40 g).

Mix mineral fertilizers thoroughly, apply under the bush in the spring.

On a note. The main condition is that potassium chloride cannot be used from mineral fertilizers. He can destroy the plant.

Pruning is an important procedure in the care of bushes. In the third season, sanitary pruning is carried out for better shrub growth. When pruning, remove dry, damaged branches, thin out the crown of the bush a little. A tall bush is formed by pruning, giving the bush an aesthetic appearance.

In order to prevent diseases, after pruning blueberries, the bushes are treated with fungicidal agents (Euparen, Topsin).

Tips for watering garden blueberries:

The blueberry hole should be moist, but no stagnant water should be allowed. The roots are located close to the surface of the earth, therefore, with excessive moisture they begin to rot;
It is important to prevent the soil from drying out and crusting on the ground. Soil moisture must be maintained at 60-70%. It is better to water from a watering can. If the soil is moistened with a hose, the jet can erode the mulch layer;
Watering frequency is every three days, twice a day. Favorable hours for watering are morning and evening. An adult bush will require 5 liters of water;
The bushes need abundant watering in July and August. During this period, the formation of flower buds of the future harvest occurs;
If the days are hot and sunny, then besides watering, the bushes can be sprayed with cool water. The procedure helps to cool the plant and increases the rate of photosynthesis.

When growing garden blueberries on the site, you need to choose a bed with acidic soil or acidify the soil yourself. When using products to increase the acidity level, you must follow the safety rules. If you follow the agrotechnical rules for growing and caring for a shrub, the plant will develop well and bring a good harvest for many years.

Blueberry drainage how to make

So that the roots of the berry do not suffer from excess moisture, it is necessary to initially consider a drainage option. Tyrsa, crushed stone, expanded clay, broken brick and crushed tree bark are perfect for this. The size of the drain is about 15 cm. Only in this case it will be reliable and useful.

Despite the fact that blueberries are demanding on the soil, it is not difficult to plant them in your garden.The main thing is to choose the right soil, acidify it if necessary, or prepare the soil yourself, fertilize and grow a thick and strong bush with a bountiful harvest of berries.

Choosing a site for culture

When planning to breed tall blueberries in his area, the gardener should pay great attention to choosing a suitable place and creating favorable conditions for the growth and fruiting of the culture.

The common property of all varieties of this variety of garden berries is the desire for warmth and moisture, combined with a dislike for long periods of drought and waterlogged soil.

This defines the basic conditions conducive to good growth and development:

It is not recommended to plant blueberries in lowlands or in an area with close groundwater.
It is worth giving preference to a sunny, well-lit place.
Blueberries will not grow in areas with heavy clay soils.
A place with clean, previously unused soil is ideal for growing garden blueberries.

The color of flowers depending on the acidity of the soil

In large-leaved hydrangea, the shade of the petals changes after a change in the acidity of the soil. Experienced gardeners experiment with indicators: they carry out acidification, they can artificially deoxidize the substrate. It is known that a large-leaved shrub grows on soil with acidity values from 4 to 7.4 ph. If the acidic environment exceeds the last mark, then the root system of the plant can be crippled.

For an ornamental large-leaved shrub, the following dependence of the shade of small flowers on inflorescences on the level of acidity is characteristic:

at 4 ph, purple petals;
4.5 ph - blue;
from 5.1 ph - blue;
at the level from 4.9 to 5.5 ph - from blue to pink;
from 6.5 ph - dark pink shade;
6, 9 ph - pink;
7, 4 ph - light pink.

What soil is needed for hydrangea

The cultivation of a unique ornamental shrub is associated with the selection of the correct substrate. The requirements for the soil of this shrub are called high. In the large-leaved hydrangea, a close relationship is observed between the composition of the soil and the shade of the petals. If the soil is not sufficiently fertilized or changes the acidity index, then the plant can react by curling the leaves and dropping flowers. The soil for a garden variety must meet several basic requirements.

This indicator depends on the course of natural processes, it can change throughout the life of the flower. For hydrangea, soil of medium or low acidity is suitable. The best option is to create soil with a level of 5 or 5.5 ph. To measure the acidity level, gardeners use special litmus testers. Experienced growers determine the level by the type and shade of the inflorescences.

Lightness is determined by the presence of sand particles as a percentage of the total mass, as well as by the indicator of plasticity, that is, the ability to maintain shape after external exposure. The root system of shrubs requires light sandy loams with a plasticity number not exceeding 7 points.

This is one of the important criteria for horticultural crops. The substrate with the required nutritional value is prepared 2-3 months before the main planting. For enrichment, an equal amount of black soil, leaf and sod land is used, coarse sand, humus are added, as well as the necessary fertilizing. It can be 2 parts organic and 2 parts superphosphate. The mixture is left in holes prepared for seedlings for 2-3 months so that the components are mixed. Growers begin preparing the substrate in the fall.

The root system needs regular watering. Hydrangeas need constant moisture and are not drought tolerant. To do this, create a type of soil that promotes the rapid transmission of moisture.

Soil ventilation is achieved by adding coarse sand.This technique not only allows air and water to pass through faster, but also promotes rapid evaporation and prevents waterlogging. The permeability index is further increased by regular loosening.

What to remember

Plant in acidic soil. Hydrangea is planted in an acidic soil - only in such soil does the plant bloom and develop well.
Apply organic and mineral fertilizers. Organic and mineral fertilizers are able to slowly and for a long time maintain the necessary balance for growth.
Acidify water when watering. To prepare a solution for irrigation, use folk remedies: citric acid, electrolyte, sulfuric acid.