Joanie,

I used to be able to get pine "fines" locally, but they stopped carrying it.  Check this link

http://davesgarden.com/guides/terms/go/3057/

for the other names to ask for.  It's often used in organic gardening.

 

I use only pine mulch because it breaks down at a reasonable rate, I like the natural color, and our soil is a bit alkaline here, so it helps acidify.  Pine mulch isn't alwaus chunky.  Check other sources; some carry shredded pine bark which is light and fluffy.

 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5

----- Original Message -----

From: J*@aol.com

To: p*@hort.net

Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 10:54 AM

Subject: Re: Cardiandra alternifolia

Hi, Gene:

 

I've heard pine bark and something like 'pine filings' are great acidifiers and we can't get either locally, just pine mulch but it's very chunky.

 

Now I see why you have raised beds.

 

I'll check out the native deciduous azaleas....love the idea of being able to grow them more easily here.

 

Thanks so much for your input!

 

Joanie Anderson

 

In a message dated 6/13/2011 5:54:21 A.M. Central Daylight Time, genebush@netsurfusa.net writes:

Joanie,

            Think I answered some of this in another message. My soil is clay over limestone and I am on the side of a hill with lots of stone ledges, a cave is in the middle of my garden. Soil is 6.5 and a touch over on pH. I pretty much gave up sometime back on digging and amending. Mostly now I build a raised bed and go up and over the clay. My beds where I have azalea are made of old potting medium from the nursery, composted pine bark and peat moss. My preference would be to add some sandy soil and mix, but no such animal here.

            No all azalea demand the low pH... there is a line of breeding from the Dutch that is bred specifically for all soil pH. Just cannot remember the name of the line...Chris?? Anyway... I am collecting our native deciduous azalea and their cultivars, hybrids. Deciduous azalea are much easier to settle in and grow.

           

Gene E. Bush

Munchkin Nursery & Gardens,LLC

www.munchkinnursery.com

Garden Writer - Photographer -  Lecturer

      

 

 

 

From: owner-perennials@hort.net [mailto:owner-perennials@hort.net] On Behalf Of Jeaa0088@aol.com
Subject: Re: Cardiandra alternifolia

 

Gene....do you have naturally acidic soil? If not, how do you amend yours specifically for azaleas? And how do you alter this for other acid-loving plants? This has always been a challenge for me. The yellow sulphur granules have never been very effective for me and liquid acid fertilizers require nearly constant drenchings. Peat moss has lightened the soil nicely but never prevented chlorosis to any real degree. BTW, I have two Azaleas which do not seem to mind  non-acidified soil and thrive, blooming well each spring in soil which is probably ph 7+. Can azaleas be planted under trees or is the root competion/compaction too great?  Thanks so much for any help as I'd love to add more azaleas to the perennial garden.

 

Joanie Anderson