From Newsgroup: uk.rec.gardening

I have several bags of ericaceous compost that I use for plants like
rhodos, camellias, ericas and other calcifuges, usually with some
extra grit to encourage drainage.

But can I use it for plants that are not calcifuge, either neat or
with the extra grit?
--

Chris

Gardening in West Cornwall, very mild, sheltered
from the West, but open to the North and East.
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From Newsgroup: uk.rec.gardening

On 23/04/2026 13:21, Chris Hogg wrote:

I have several bags of ericaceous compost that I use for plants like
rhodos, camellias, ericas and other calcifuges, usually with some
extra grit to encourage drainage.

But can I use it for plants that are not calcifuge, either neat or
with the extra grit?

Yes and no. Ericaceous compost is for calcifuges. Some non-calcifuge
plants might cope, but calcicoles are likely to struggle. You could add
garden lime to raise the pH.

Here's a list of plants for acid soils, including lilies, lupins, brooms
and gorse.

https://www.haskins.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ericaceous-made-easy-leaflet.pdf
--
SRH
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From Newsgroup: uk.rec.gardening

On 23/04/2026 13:21, Chris Hogg wrote:

I have several bags of ericaceous compost that I use for plants like
rhodos, camellias, ericas and other calcifuges, usually with some
extra grit to encourage drainage.

But can I use it for plants that are not calcifuge, either neat or
with the extra grit?

Yes, we tend to use our ericaceous mix for any plants that are objecting
to our normal peat free mix, in both cases we add soil (bagged from Wicks!)
--
Charlie Pridham
Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
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From Newsgroup: uk.rec.gardening

On 23/04/2026 13:21, Chris Hogg wrote:

I have several bags of ericaceous compost that I use for plants like
rhodos, camellias, ericas and other calcifuges, usually with some
extra grit to encourage drainage.

But can I use it for plants that are not calcifuge, either neat or
with the extra grit?

In my experience there are very few "ericaceous" plants which demand ericaceous soil. I happily grow rhodos, camellias, and some proteaceae
(mainly grevilleas) in clayey soil with a pH around 6.5, and they all
flower well with no chlorosis. It's purely a guess, but I think plants
like blueberries and cranberries might be more fussy.

I would think that most calcicoles are similar. There might be some
which demand a high level of calcium and/or a highish pH, but I've no experience of them. If you have plants to spare, it's always worth
trying some in conditions which don't appear ideal (according to the ref sources).
--
Jeff
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From Newsgroup: uk.rec.gardening

On 23/04/2026 13:21, Chris Hogg wrote:

I have several bags of ericaceous compost that I use for plants like
rhodos, camellias, ericas and other calcifuges, usually with some
extra grit to encourage drainage.

But can I use it for plants that are not calcifuge, either neat or
with the extra grit?

I use it for potting on our Citrus plants. Whilst they do not strictly
demand it they de prefer it, especially as we have hard water and our rainwater barrels run out often these days.
--
Regards
Bob Hobden
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