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How to create acid soil ??
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Posted by BrandtKarl Canary Islands (My Page) on Fri, Jan 28, 05 at 2:24
| How do I create acid soil from normal purchased bagged garden soil? |
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RE: How to create acid soil ??
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- Posted by Popi NSW Aust (My Page) on
Fri, Jan 28, 05 at 3:42
| Firstly I would do a pH test, so you know what you are dealing with and whether you do in fact what to alter the pH. To make your soil acid, your pH will be on the low side. Adding organic matter, such as manure, compost aids in making the soil more acid. Sulphur also makes it more acid, but that seems a bit extreme. Hope this is of assistance to you in the Canary Islands. Popi |
RE: How to create acid soil ??
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| Is the bagged soil you are getting really soil or potting mix? It is very likely that it is potting mix, if that is the case then much of the mix will be partly decomposed sawdust and/or peat. I that is the case then it is going to be difficult to regulate the acidity. You will need a ph tester for sure, because if the base of your "soil" is potting mix then the pH will alter as the mix decomposes (it gets even more acid). You can alter the pH right away by applying iron Chelate, however it is expensive if you are treating a large area. You can also use Iron Sulphate which is cheaper but takes a few weeks to react in the soil to give the desired effect. Sulphur is the cheapest but takes even longer to alter the ph as it needs to convert to a Sulphate in the soil. This involves reactions etc. with Bacteria etc. |
RE: How to create acid soil ??
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| Isn't potting soil for Camellias and Azaleas on the acid sside as they need an acid soil?? |
RE: How to create acid soil ??
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| Yes, you can buy a special mix for them here in SA distributed by Nu-erth, it is also used for blueberries, which also love acid soil. mudlark |
RE: How to create acid soil ??
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you can pee in the garden - thats quite inexpensive but it would take you quite a while to get around a big garden. I've used this method successfully with ferns in pots. Additional benefit is that it adds nitrogen.
Tony |
RE: How to create acid soil ??
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| South Australia is a long way from the Canary islands. |
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