Hi Nanny Beach no used John Innes No3... I planted the Magnolia bushes last year in our clay soil and they seem to be OK ... Did not realise they should be in ericacaous
If they are in a limey soil they will probably take a year or so before they start looking rather yellow and not doing well. You really do need to get some ericacious compost or soil in there. You could try some garden lime around the roots (in suitable quantities) as a temporary measure but the soil needs fixing.
....You really do need to get some ericacious compost or soil in there. You could try some garden lime around the roots (in suitable quantities) as a temporary measure but the soil needs fixing.
Surely garden lime is used to raise the pH of soil (ie make it more alkaline)?
Ericacious compost is used to reduce the pH (ie make it more acid or less alkaline).
I believe magnolias don't flourish in an alkaline soil but they should be ok in a neutral or slightly acidic medium.
Heaven is ... sitting in the garden with a G&T and a cat while watching the sun go down
....You really do need to get some ericacious compost or soil in there. You could try some garden lime around the roots (in suitable quantities) as a temporary measure but the soil needs fixing.
Surely garden lime is used to raise the pH of soil (ie make it more alkaline)?
My understanding too. Sulphur is usually the thing to use to acidify soil.
No lime! Top dress with ericaceous compost every spring and feed with liquid sequestered iron. Use rain water, not tap.
We have a small but mature magnolia in the garden which we inherited in a very poor and struggling state. It has had masses of ericaceous compost poured over its roots and has responded well but this spring has been so wet and cold that the teeny little buds haven't moved for a couple of weeks. Give yours more time, treat it well and it will be beautiful.
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Ericacious compost is used to reduce the pH (ie make it more acid or less alkaline).
I believe magnolias don't flourish in an alkaline soil but they should be ok in a neutral or slightly acidic medium.
We have a small but mature magnolia in the garden which we inherited in a very poor and struggling state. It has had masses of ericaceous compost poured over its roots and has responded well but this spring has been so wet and cold that the teeny little buds haven't moved for a couple of weeks. Give yours more time, treat it well and it will be beautiful.