How can I grow acid loving plants when my soil is alkaline?

I think it might be better to not plant it in a pot in the soil - the roots will escape from the bottom and spread outwards anyway. Only thing you can do is to buy a couple of bags of ericaceous compost, dig a large and deep hole, enough to take the compost, put the compost in and plant the acer in that. That should keep it happy for a year or three, and after that, you might have to apply some sequestrene tonic 2 or 3 times a year to help keep the plant healthy.I would ask, though which acer you're planting; some require more acid than others.

no needfor pot. youcan grow acidlove plats anyweer you like, if you:
1- chukc rusty nails on siol aroun plnt
2-sprikel"flowers of sulphur" on soil aroun aera
3-waterw ith rain water.

Derek's right about the Flowers of Sulphur - you could use that as an alternative to the sequestrene

Hi Bobo I would suggest digging a very large planting hole approx 3 times the size you acer needs and part filling this with acidic compost. Then plant your acer and continue to fill up with the acidic compost. Keep well watered and next spring/summer mulch with composted bark or the like and keep doing this. Eventually you will change that little bit of your garden into at least neutral soil... Have fun!

Bamboo, DerekF and Moon Grower - thanks very much - didn't know such stuff existed!

Interesting question Bobo, I have the same problem. I've tried burying tubs ect. but without success. I agree with Bamboo and Dereks ideas, rain water too. I bought a 'Bloodgood' three yrs ago as they told me it would be OK but though I put lots of ericaceous soil round it, it failed. Also I'm not sure that you'll get the lovely Autumn colour unless the soil is acidic.

sulphur wil lower the ph of soil- an anual topdres for 3yr bring ph down 2 point.

Autumn colour is brought about by the weather conditions. Warm sunny days and chilly nights are needed for the best colouring