No Subject
- To: s*@MAELSTROM.STJOHNS.EDU
- From: n* s*
- Date: Mon, 23 Oct 2000 17:45:58 -0400
Hi All,
The main problem with growing rhodys in the midwest...... they require acid
soil, as well as a lot of humus. Yes, you can amend the soil so that it is
acid, but if the water you use is alkaline, you will soon undo your good
work. They simply won't grow well if the pH is higher than about 5 1/2 or
6. They are members of ericacious plants, all of which require acid
conditions. This may be a limiting factor as well as hardiness. If you can
figure out a way to water them without using "hard" water or salt treated
water, you have solved your problem...... Nancy
>Regarding problems with growing rhody's in the midwest. sudden shifts of
>temperature in early-Fall and late-Winter can beat up a plant. Someone in
>this list mentioned use of an early-Spring "blanket" of loosely layered
>leaves around tender plants to keep them cold as a warm weather front
>approached. Not needed every year, but one of the tools in our gardening
>kit.
Nancy Swell <swell@erols.com>
Richmond VA Zone 7 --- colder than Raleigh and Norfolk, warmer than
Baltimore and Blacksburg
