Re: arilbred culture


Clarence Mahan writes:
>>The biggest problem, Tom, is drainage in my opinion---you have good
drainage,
>>but in the East for real success with most arilbreds, one has to build
up the
>>beds with porous soil, broken flower pot pieces, stones, etc underneath
to
>>get drainage---and because most of our Eastern soils are acidic heavy
clay,
>> we have to lime often.  With porous soils on the neutral or alkaline
side,
>>you can water once a week.  Here, a couple good rains close together in
>>August, and many arilbreds will succumb if excellent drainage has not
been
>>provided.  

The need for porous soil and good drainage is probably why chert beds
were recommended to Linda Mann for aril plantings (chert, by the way, is
a modified quartzite).  The clay we have in the southeast does not
generally drain well -- in fact, it holds water so well that it is
considered excellent for earthen dam construction.  I suspect the
differences in humidity and wind patterns also plays a part, even if just
to the extent they effect evaporation.  

Lynn Woosley
Marietta, GA, USA
USDA Zone 7/8
AIS Region 5
Where the daffodils are still going strong, azaleas and dogwoods are
showing buds, and I am praying we don't have a late freeze to spoil the
bloom season.



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