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Acidic compost for plants that love acid conditions, like azaleas, rhododendrons, blueberries, camellias, heathers, magnolias--if you've been told to 'acidify the soil' use some ericaceous material, and everything will turn out great! It's apparently primarily a UK term, in the US, just ask for acidic compost/mulching materials.
http://www.uk.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ukgard/msg0312045225513.html
http://www.johninnes.info/ericaceous.htm
http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/invt/182518
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoTo support an acid pH in the soil is what ericaceous compost is used for.
Specifically, many beloved indoor and outdoor plants appreciate a soil pH in the neutral range of 6.0-6.5. But some plants - such as azaleas, camellias and heathers - favor a soil pH below the above-mentioned comfort zone, which they dislike lowered by lime treatments. Ericaceous compost keeps the soil acidic while encouraging rooting and flowering and retaining moisture and without requiring frequent, huge fertilizer inputs or irrigation schedules.
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Is ericaceous compost right for acer's?
Acers will be quite happy in an ericaceous compost.
What compost should be used for magnolias?
Ericaceous is the type of compost that should be used for magnolias. The flowering plant in question may be grouped with such acidic soil pH-loving, lime-hating vegetation as azaleas and rhododendrons. It therefore requires the ericaceous compost which heath and heather family members favor.
Do maple family members grow in ericaceous or ordinary compost?
Maple family members grow more comfortably in ericaceous compost. The trees in question (Acer spp) tolerate the more acidic pH levels realized through applications of ericaceous (heath and heather family-related) organic amendments, fertilizers, and mulches.
Do maples like ericaceous compost?
Yes, maples like ericaceous compost. The kind of dark-colored, fresh-smelling, nutrient-rich compost in question tends to be associated with the Ericaceae family of heaths and heathers. But members of the Acer genus also tend to handle a compost that appeals to plants that prefer soil pHs in the acidic range.
Does Buddleia need ericaceous compost?
Yes, Buddleia needs the ericaceous type if compost is to be used. The butterfly bush in question numbers among the world's woody plants which favor a more acidic soil -- in this case, pH levels of 5.5 - 6.5 -- even though adequate space and sunlight as well as good drainage will support growth in neutral soils. Buddleia will grow in any reasonable soil, it is not ericaceous.
Do you need ericaceous compost for Magnolia Stellata?
Yes, Magnolia Stellata needs ericaceous compost, but at the same time, no, it does not. The flowering plant in question prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH level even though proper drainage and lighting let it survive in a variety of soils, including heavy clay. It therefore will have need of the acidic-loving, lime-hating compost in less desirable environments (where an ericaceous compost fertilizer helps), such as slightly alkaline (sweet) soils.
Are used teabags a good substitute for ericaceous compost?
Yes, used teabags are a good substitute for ericaceous compost. The soil amendment, fertilizer, or mulch in question responds to the needs of plants that prefer soil pHs in the acidic range. Those who engage in composting nevertheless will need to remember to remove the bag, which is most environmentally unfriendly in its 20 to 30 percent polypropylene content.
Do all shrubs love ericaceous compost?
No, not all shrubs love ericaceous compost. The compost in question offers amendment, fertilizer, and mulch possibilities to shrubs (and other woody, as well as non-woody, plants) that favor soils whose pH measures in the acidic range. The word ericaceous references plants in the Ericaceae family, commonly called the heath or heather family even though it includes such even more famous plants as azaleas and rhododendrons.
What plants can use ericaceous compost?
Vegetation which favors acidic soil pH ranges and which resist lime treatments is the type of plant that can use ericaceous compost. The type of compost in question responds to the above-mentioned needs which are hallmarks of heath and heather family members. Azaleas, magnolias, and rhododendrons tend to be the most commonly cited examples.
Is mushroom compost good for hydrangeas?
No, mushroom compost is not good for hydrangeas. The flowering plants in question may be sensitive to soil fungi. Mushroom compost works well for acid-loving plants even though in this case ericaceous compost is the best choice.
Does Acer negundo 'flamingo' like ericaceous compost?
Yes, Acer negundo 'flamingo' likes ericaceous compost. The dark-colored, fresh-smelling, nutrient-rich compost in question makes Ericaceae (heath and heather) family members and select other plants happy. It serves as soil amendments, fertilizers, mulches, and rejuvenators for plants such as box elder (Acer negundo).
Do tree ferns like eracateous compost?
Ericaceous compost is lime-free and more acidic than most composts. Tree ferns are slow growing architectural plants with spreading fronds above a thick trunk and they like eracateous compost.
