Re: Acidifying alkaline soil

I remembered reading years ago that high levels of aluminum was toxic to rhododendrons. I just checked David Leach's 'Rhododendrons of the World" and it confirmed my memory. Since Enkianthus is an ericaceous plant, I suspect it would be aluminum would be toxic to it as well. Sulfur is the safer choice. 

Bill Plummer
----- Original Message ----- From: "Debby Williams" <williamsdeb@sbcglobal.net> 
To: <woodyplants@hort.net>
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 12:56 AM
Subject: RE: Acidifying alkaline soil
Years ago I used miracid on with some of my acidic soil loving plants, so I goggled it to see what current thought was on the product and I found this - refers to growing azaleas:
The fastest way to acidify the soil is to use aluminum sulfate (drugstore alum). Dissolve eight ounces of powdered alum in a gallon of water and pour it around your azalea. That will lower the pH by one point.
From http://www.walterreeves.com/gardening-q-and-a/using-miracid- fertilizer/
I think sulfur would last longer but then maybe use this as a supplement as the sulfur degrades. 

Debby Williams

Chicago



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