Mine are thriving in dust and fluff Joyce. FG's not kidding about the poor soil.
I've done more or less the same thing FG and grown them over ugly lumpy bumpy stones and stuff that won't move. They're flowering and spreading happily in about an inch of "muck"
I have acid soil, and grow rhodies AND pinks, Fairy. I think the acid lovers are much more picky than things like lilac and pinks which are said to prefer alkaline conditions. Providing you get the drainage right, and find them a sunny spot, pinks will be happy.
As far as I'm aware, although plants needing acid soil are unable to absorb certain minerals (like iron) if the soil is too alkaline, the reverse isn't true for plants which can cope with alkaline conditions.
My guess is that your soil is acid, at least where your rhodies are growing.
Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
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Mine are thriving in dust and fluff Joyce. FG's not kidding about the poor soil.
I've done more or less the same thing FG and grown them over ugly lumpy bumpy stones and stuff that won't move. They're flowering and spreading happily in about an inch of "muck"
Love the pinks fairygirl, they are my favourite flower.
The fluff wont be a problem pp
No problem here either Joyce
It's my proof to people who think rhododendrons etc only grow in acid soil. If that's the case, pinks wouldn't grow in gardens here....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Simpoles or plimsoles pp?
Thank you to those who like untidy and blousy!
I have acid soil, and grow rhodies AND pinks, Fairy. I think the acid lovers are much more picky than things like lilac and pinks which are said to prefer alkaline conditions. Providing you get the drainage right, and find them a sunny spot, pinks will be happy.
As far as I'm aware, although plants needing acid soil are unable to absorb certain minerals (like iron) if the soil is too alkaline, the reverse isn't true for plants which can cope with alkaline conditions.
My guess is that your soil is acid, at least where your rhodies are growing.
Sweetpeas looking good Fairygirl
Mine aren't flowering yet
Just saw your response Liri. You may well be right about the pinks - the fact that they're growing in rubbishy soil probably helps too!
However, my rhodie's growing in neutral soil....
I don't have many flowers yet Jess. The cupanis do tend to get to flowering stage quicker than some of the others though.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
That's really interesting, Fairy.
It's prompted me to do some research...
(1) Some rhododendron species are more lime tolerant than others;
(2) If the rhododendron is growing in neutral soil it will thrive better if the soil is poor than if it has lots of nutrients;
3) There's a lime-tolerant rootstock for rhodies, recently developed in Germany.
I do love finding new things out about plants... thanks for that!