Hi Jen,

I think I remember that you liked your blooms pink, but at the risk of deepening the bloom color if you over-do it, you might want to try a little chelated iron for the leaves. Go lightly....yg

If mine get a pale color, I just give them a few doses of Miracle Grow until they green up. I've sprinkled Osmocote around them. Not a heavy dose, though. Maybe your soil is too alkaline for them?

Hay.

YG and Hay, I'm so glad to get your opinions. I have wondered about both issues: iron and the possiblity of a high alkaline soil. I thought I read somewhere that a high alkaline soil hinders uptake of iron, so the problem may be a combination of the two factors you guys mention. What do you think about using Miracid instead of Miracle Grow? Would that kill two birds with one stone, do you think? Oddly enough, even though these hydrangeas are acting healthy, (good blooms, very little wilting, even in direct afternoon sun, good growth) there is some foliage that is almost white! I took some pictures to post someday, but I have to get my husband to help. Thanks again for your opinions, and let me know what you think about Miracid.

Miracid is for acid loving plants but I was informed on this forum that it doesn't contain soil acidifiers (if that's what your're looking for)....Check the label for sulfur and iron......yg

YG, I believe you are correct about the Miracid. I checked the label on Miracle Grow and it does contain the ch. iron, so I gave them a dose of that. Neither one contained sulfur as far as I could tell. Will be interesting to see if the Miracle Grow solves the problem. Thanks again.

Let us know how it works...Good luck....yg

Jen,

How are your leaves looking?

Jen, I've followed your posts with a smile over the years. I forgot to post such in my last ES message, but just wanted to say thanks. You add much knowledge, warmth and enthusiasm to the forum, thanks.

Thank you, lsimms! What a kind thing to say, you made me smile. GTinKC...my leaves are no better, some have turned very pale, almost white with green veins. I couldn't look at them, I had to cut them off. I sure wish the darn things would green up! I'm hoping it's just immaturity since these are only Year Two plants. Time will tell, I guess.

Jen,

Maybe not enough sun?

I've had great luck in maintaining healthy plants on alkaline soil by treating with a product made by Green Light called Iron and Soil Acidifier. Great to fend off chlorosis and provide the acidity that my plants need.
Zack

If the plants are pale overall then I'd think they need some fertilizer. If they have these veins like you're saying, especially if it's all over to some extent, then I'd think you might have too alkaline a soil. I had a plant in a pot this spring that had these dark veins and light leaf that seemed to respond well to my spring drenching of aluminum sulphate.

I know that Dirr once suggested a product by Green Light. Could very well be this Iron and Soil Acidifier.

One nice benefit of keeping the plant in a pot is that you can have more control over these things like fertilizer and acidity.

Good luck. Hay.