Re: Delphiniums

At 02:01 PM 11/19/98 EST, you wrote:
>>>My soil is very alkaline.  In spite of years of amendment, in the location
>I planted the delphs, it was probably at least 7.5 pH.  I think they need
>more neutral, if not acid soil.  They also needed more water than they got,
>undoubtedly.  Margaret<<
>
>Gee.  Every reference book I have, and my personal experience, indicate that
>Delphiniums like slightly alkaline soil.  I do not think pH is your problem.
>Neutral is 7, so 7.5 is slightly alkaline.  It should be about perfect.
>Delphiniums do not like acid soil, although I have seen them growing
>wonderfully in the eastern US where the soil is quite acidic, for instance at
>Longwood Gardens in Pennsylvania.  I assume those were in soil amended with
>lime.  Any eastern gardeners on the list who care to share how you grow
>Delphiniums in your acidic soil?
>
>Did you fertilize your Delphiniums?  Were they growing in full sun?  My guess
>would be those, and not pH, were your problems.  --Janis

They were in full sun, not fertilized after planting because most plants do
well on the compost and organic matter worked into the soil.  the delphs
probably needed more.  A friend in the valley got large vigorous plants,
growing them in full sun, but her soil is much richer than mine.  Hers is
black, mine is taupe.  Her soil is more acidic than mine, as well.  Margaret

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