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pH problems

16 years ago

I am having difficulties with firs because I think my pH is running high 6.5. Has anyone had success with lowing there container mix without elevating the salt levels too much. My extension agent is recommending Iron sulfate to treat already planted firs and elemental sulfur mixed into the pine bark mix for future planting. Partly my water may be to blame because of very high calcium levels tend to raise the pH levels(i think that is what causes it). Does anyone have a source to find the optimum pH levels for other conifers. I need recommendations for Hemlock, spruce, pine, cedar(cedrus), and also Japanese Maple. Thanks for any advice.

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Comments (3)

pineresin
16 years ago
What firs are they?

Most of the European firs do well on lime-rich soil, try A. cephalonica, A. pinsapo, etc.

Resin
wisconsitom
16 years ago
And following up on Resins comments, 6.5 is a good pH for a huge variety of plants, and I'll bet most firs would be happy with this. In my area, our soil tends towards neutrality (pH 7.0). I've seen balsam fir do well here, at least in older neihborhoods where the soil is good. But this tree does not occur much in our forests 'til you get a little north or west of us, where the soils tend to be more acidic. Concolor fir has no problems here either. The USDA Forest Service Silvics data will give you more detailed info on stuff like this than you ever imagined existed. Good reading if you're all-out geeked on trees (Like me!).

+oM
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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
16 years ago
PNW native soils tend to be slightly acidic - in the 6.3 to 6.5 range - and pretty much any climate-appropriate conifer seems to grow happily here under those conditions. As do all manner of Japanese maples. Most plants tolerate a rather wide range of soil pH and it is really only under quite adverse conditions should pH adjusting be necessary. If you are growing in containers and wish to lower pH, try adding some cottonseed meal to the mix - it is a natural acidifier.

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