Re: evergreen trees

Catherine Ratner wrote:
Callistemon does not seem to be lime tolerant here where I am growing on
diatomaceous earth sub-soil. Two kinds I have tried became severely
chlorotic though it is possible that they did not like the heavy clay on top
of the limey soil.

Cathy
Callistemons seem to be pretty tolerant plants as though in gardens they will often grow quite well in pretty dry conditions, in nature they apparently grow mostly in moist positions such as along streams and in swampy areas, so I doubt clay would be too much for them to cope with as long as they can get sufficient summer moisture. High alkalinity though could be more of a problem as they certainly prefer a slightly acid soil.

If you can get it, watering the plants from time to time with a chelated iron solution would almost certainly allow them to grow in your soil.
Acidifying around them with elemental sulphur would also possibly work.
Either treatment would probably not be permanent, but need repeating at intervals.

Moira
--
Tony & Moira Ryan,
Wainuiomata, North Island, NZ.     Pictures of our garden at:-
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/cherie1/Garden/TonyandMoira/index.htm
NEW PICTURES ADDED 4/Feb/2004

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