Lazy way to change alkaline soil to ericaceous soil

[anonymous-user]

Hi, so many plants seem to need ericaceous soil but I have alkaline soil so many die.

Whilst I am happy planting such plants in loads of compost and stuff so they are happy for the first year or so inevitably they will die or at least look utterly miserable.

They never like my hard tap water (alkaline) and instead prefer acid rain when they need a water during drought.

Question: Is there some feed / additive that I could put in a watering can and soak the ground around their roots a few times a year to make them think they are in ericaceous soil?

TIA

[dmsims]

Lots: just Google Azalea, camellia and rhododendron plant food

Our camelias also get Seaweed food, sprayed on the foliage (but not when sunny!)

[PositronicRay]

Working against nature is hard work, neutral, clay over limestone here.

Our neighbours have a marvelous display of Heather's. It involved raised beds, filled with ericaceous soil, feeding, and plenty of work.

I'd love rhododendrons and stuff but it just ain't happening.

[anonymous-user]

TY both for your views.

[Patrick Bateman]

Work with what you've got I'd say and pot the acid lovers.

[xyz123]

I tried that for a small corner in front drive for 3/4 plants (rest of drive is paved) and failed miserably. As said, much more easier to work with what you have or use pots

[shatley]

Don't forget to avoid hard water. I use harvested rainwater and a low powered pressure washer. Lazy?

https://youtu.be/wMNKowAkoXw?si=ywylccAzogL0X7qx

[TimmyMallett]

Patrick Bateman said:

Work with what you've got I'd say and pot the acid lovers.

This.you wont be able to change the soil unless potted. Food doesn't change the ph of the surrounding soil as such. If you must have then at ground level you can sink a big pot into the ground and fill with ericaceous but you're better off working with nature than against it.

[DodgyGeezer]

shatley said:

Don't forget to avoid hard water. I use harvested rainwater and a low powered pressure washer. Lazy?

https://youtu.be/wMNKowAkoXw?si=ywylccAzogL0X7qx

7.5 years and that's your first post!!!