Cultivating acidophile plants in pot or garden is not so complicated. Just a few precautions and a pinch of curiosity is needed to find out what really makes them feel good.
Cultivate acidophile plants in pot or in the garden It might seem stuff by expert hands, of those who speak with the leaves and understand the language of the petals. In reality, everything starts from a simple thing: to know the ground. Azalee, Camelie, Rododendri … they are not only beautiful to see, but also a little demanding, yes. And if they don’t explode as color as they should, it is often not the fault of the little green thumb, but of the pH wrong.
Often we focus on fertilizers and irrigation, forgetting that it is precisely the pH of the ground to regulate the way the plant feeds. Acidophiles need a slightly acid environment to feel at home. Nothing extreme, but sufficient to make the difference between a plant that grows luxuriant and one that struggles also to bloom. That’s why, before planting them at random, it makes sense to understand what you really need.
Acidophile plants in the garden: ground, light and irrigation
One point must be clearly clear: Acidophilic plants do not get along with any land. We need a soil with pH between 4.5 and 6.0, otherwise the problems begin. Leaves that yellow, slow growth, absent blooms. To avoid it, specific soils, acid peat or even coffee funds can be used. Some use a few drops of vinegar in watering water, but without exaggerating.
Attention to water: if it is too limestone, it risks raising the pH and frustrating efforts. Better to use rainwater or let it rest a whole day before using it. And the light? Many acidophiles love the shadow. The morning sun is perfect, but in the hottest hours it is better to guarantee some shadow. As for water, it is always the usual story: wetland, never soaked. A layer of bark helps a lot to retain humidity and keep stagnation at bay.
How to cultivate acidophiles in pot or in the ground
That it is a city balcony o o quiet corner of the gardeneverything can be fine if you prepare the base well. Acidophiles also grow well in pots, as long as it is suitable.
To cultivate them in pots:
- Choose containers with holes on the bottom.
- Insert a draining layer at the base (stone or clay).
- Use a specific soil for acidophilic.
- Use the salary only if emptied regularly.
In the middle of the ground:
- Dig a wider hole than the zolla.
- Fill with acid soil.
- If the soil is calcareous, create an isolated “pocket” to avoid contamination.
Among the most appreciated acidophiles are Azalee, Camelie, Rododendri, Magnolie, Blueberries, Erics and the suggestive blue hydrangeas. The latter, in particular, reveal a curious secret: the color of the flowers changes according to the pH. In acid soil they remain blue, but if the soil neutralizes, they turn to pink. An elegant way to understand if something must be placed.
Common errors and small useful precautions
One of the most common mistakes? Use any fertilizers. Many contain limestone and alter the pH. Better to focus on specific fertilizers for acidophilewhich nourish without interference. Another mistake is to think that once the right soil is put, the work is over. But rain and watering change acidity over time.
It is therefore convenient every now and then to take a look at the pH, with reactive stripes or gardening tools. Add peat or coffee grounds from time to time can help maintain balance. The environment also does its part: too much wind, constant shadow or too dry climate can make everything more complicated.
But in the end, what’s more beautiful than seeing a camellia or rhododendron to blossom after days of waiting? Maybe it will not be perfect in the first shot, but this is exactly what makes everything more interesting.
Each season teaches something, each plant tells a story. Just knowing how to listen to it.
Photo © Stock.adobe
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