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A straightforward question with no answers online

weeg9129124weeg9129124 Posts: 4
in The potting shed
Hi

I am a new member, and sure this question will generate much response…

I have recently sown some seeds (soil block method), two of species are ericaceous plants, but, i cannot find any guidance online that suggests they should be started in a acidic conditions from the outset? Fwiw i have sulphur chips at hand , only reluctant to add anything 

look forward to replies.

Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    I should think they need acid from the start. They are the same plants, just young


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    I agree with @nutcutlet … plants needing ericaceous soil in order to access the right nutrients will need those conditions from the outset. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • PalustrisPalustris Posts: 4,307
    Always used to start ericaceous seeds off in Ericaceous compost. Seemed obvious to do it that way to me.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    While I'd agree with the others @weeg9129124 , I expect it wouldn't be too bad for germination if they didn't have ericaceous material, but if they did germinate well, it would definitely be sensible to use ericaceous soil/compost from then on - ie when pricked out to grow on individually.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    I don’t think adding sulphur chips will be the answer, you will have no idea what the pH will be. You need ericaceous compost.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • weeg9129124weeg9129124 Posts: 4
    edited 5 March
    Thankyou all got the great advice,.
     I intentionally sowed more than required to account for poor performers, for those interested the species are

    kalmia procumbens (trailing azalea) - rare and hard to find seeds for, they came by post from india! 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I hope that was a reliable seller for the kalmia  then - there's a lot of dodgy stuff online, and people pay good money for something that turns out to be 'not what they ordered'. 

    It grows up here where I am, at a bit of altitude as it's an alpine plant, and you could probably have got it from a Scottish supplier, as a plant if not seed. There are lots of alpine specialists up here. I'm not sure if it grows from seed though - I'd have thought it would spread by runners or layering   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • weeg9129124weeg9129124 Posts: 4
    I struggled to find any local supplier for the plant, went as far as to email sellers in russia and france, the latter i got no response. 

    The last seller, smilesandseeds.com I believe is reputable, it has 50% favourable reviews on davesgarden.com, it was only $10 either way… im not convinced though only time will tell now.
  • weeg9129124weeg9129124 Posts: 4
    edited 5 March
    punkdoc said:
    I don’t think adding sulphur chips will be the answer, you will have no idea what the pH will be. You need ericaceous compost.
    I agree, although i prob will dilute the chips somehow and saturate the (coco coir) medium with that, the seeds are already down, reluctant to to buy the compost now i have chips.
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