Tanja's Inbox

I agree with Andrewr. Ericaceous compost in a seperate container is the best way to go. Alan Titchmarsh said if your soil's limey and you want to grow Rhododendrons - move house!

The general thought really is to work with the soil you've got rather than trying to change it (ie alkaline to acid). If you really must have a rhodo, my advice would be to grow it in a container of ericaceous compost and water it with rain water. Shallow rooted plants such as rhodos could also be tried in a raised bed as long as that contained an acidic growing medium. 'Inkarho' rootstock, developed in Germany, allows grafted rhodos to be grown in soils with a pH as high as 7; good Garden Centres may be able to supply common varieties grafted on to this rootstock

It rather depends on the quantity of soil you wish to sterilise. If just a small amount then the best way is to pop it in a microwave oven (check there are no metal bits in the soil). Not sure of the times, you need to experiment.
I have sterilised soil by spreading it out thinly on concrete and going over it with a flame gun. You need to be careful though, I set fire to the fence!
There are chemical sterilising agenst available, but never used them so no advice there.

I would have thought that acetic acid was not the correct kind for calciphobic plants (lime hating). The normal thing to add is sulphur.
Actually changing the acidity of a soil is rather difficult, it is determined by the underlying geology of the area. You can increase acidiy slightly by the addition of compost, pine needles, leaf mould from trees from an acidic source, peat (if you must), but if the surrounding soil has lime in it, it will eventually seep back in.
One point is that Rhodo's will tolerate a neutral soil if they are heavily mulched with chopped rhodoendron leaves! It is thought that in alakaline soils manganese is not available and it is found in the leaves.
You can also water them with chelated iron (Sequestrene) if they become chlorotic.( yellow leaves).

Hi Tanja, most needled conifers are propagated by grafting. However there are some that you can try from cuttings ;
Taxus, all cultivars are generally easy. Many Picea glauca cultivars are also fairly easy, as are Picea mariana. Some Picea abies cultivars are possible. Tsuga canadensis are good, Cryptomeria are good. Some Abies are possible like Abies concolor, but difficult. Picea pungens, some are possible but most are not.
Hope this helps a bit.

Hi Tanja - welcome to GOY! You are a long way away - glad you found us. We have an expert on evergreens on the site, called 'bluespruce' - have a look at his page and you'll be amazed at his garden. I am sure he will be able to answer your question for you.