skip to main content

Texas Gardening

Looking for Azaleas in west Austin area

lou_spicewood_tx

6 years ago

Is there any places that sells Encore or something similar so I can grow one in the pot under Live oak trees? I went by Lowe's and apparently that place has no plan to sell azaleas. I'm just trying out this cheap custom potting mix out of necessary and want to give it a test and see how that works out. It's like 3 part pine bark mulch, one part potting mix (by Sta-Green) and one part compost that says composted pine bark mix, all from Lowe's. I've spent a long time at the container forum (Al's 5-1-1 mix) and learned some things so I'm just simply trying something different and see how it works out. I used to be able to find things easily in the past for Al's 5-1-1 but now? Not so much.

Featured Answer

lou_spicewood_tx
Original Author

6 years ago

Happened to stumble on Encore Azalea cultivar that I was looking for at Home Depot looking for something else. They were not there last week... Now, that I've repotted it into a larger container... let's see if I can keep it thriving all year long... Basically, I used 3 part pine bark mulch, one part potting soil with a mixture of perlite, peat moss and pine bark fines and a part of composted pine bark fines from a bag saying it's a compost but since it says all pine bark fines so I figured I'd try it out. All from Lowe's. They used to sell Landscaper's Mix which is basically uncomposted pine bark fines with a bit of perlite but I haven't seen it over a year.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

roselee z8b S.W. Texas
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
If you can't find an azalea maybe try a gardenia. I'd love to know if there is a mix that will support acid loving gardenias with my very alkaline water.

Hope you fine an azalea though. Wishing you well in your experiments!
Vulture61
6 years ago
Yeah, I wonder if that mix would not become into alkaline due to the alkaline water provided .

Omar
Related Discussions
Central Texas/Austin Area Swap April 24
Q
Comments (20)
Hey swappers, Are we going to let a little rain stop us? Heck, that's what the covered pavilion is for! Besides, the plants will love it and be much less stressed than otherwise. I'm getting plants together tonight, so I'll be ready to go tomorrow. I've got Indigo Spires salvia, "Blackie" sweet potato vine, Moonvine seedlings, a couple of luffa gourd seedlings, some dill, some *huge* fresh cuttings of my Peacock Rose geranium (which needed serious pruning!), a couple of very lanky Turk's Cap that I pulled out of dark shade, and probably other things I can't remember. Possibly some iris rhizomes, and some divisions of naturalized tazettas. And I plan to be there on time this time! ;-) Karen
...See More
North-West area plant suggestions?
Q
Comments (4)
For a compost heap, I finally have it down to a simple set up that can easily be moved, if need be. Two pallets for the base. Helps get the air flowing underneath. A set of green fence stakes - one for each corner and one each in the middle of the sides. I guess that's 8 stakes. Then I use chicken wire and tie wraps. With a little chicken wire and tomato stake door, the set up deters the bigger critters from getting inside and making a mess. Of course, it doesn't stop racoons. As for the soil in that area, if you were to plant it out, get a rototiller, some bags of peat, sand, and loam. Work it all into the soil with the tiller. You don't have to do it all at once. Sections at a time. Think about planting out small areas, imaginging a little path with a bench passing through. The compost can be off to the side with ready access from the kitchen door. Sounds like you have enough room for the compost - approx. 4 x 8 and still have room to plant. I wouldn't put the compost near where the snow load will fall.
...See More
Anybody interested in Alamo vine seedlings (Austin area)
Q
Comments (8)
I would love one, but I don't think I can make it to Austin in the near future. Would you be willing to mail one? PM me if you are and we can figure it out. Or maybe someone from Houston who's picking one up can snag one for me in exchange for lunch? AOK
...See More
Where to Find REAL Mexican Sycamore in Austin Area
Q
Comments (13)
While the American ones are native to riparian areas here, the Mexican ones are better suited to landscape situations. They seem to hold up better to dryer conditions as well as better disease resistance. While this was an article in the Dallas newspaper, the same applies here:https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2017/06/14/why-the-mexican-sycamore-is-better-for-texas-than-our-native-tree/. I can't find a link right now, but it sounds like many of the Mexican Sycamores being labeled as such are actually crosses between the American and Mexican. They apparently can still have the problems of the American ones. All that said, I never did find a true Mexican Sycamore and ended up going with a Mexican Mountain Maple, which has done quite well for me. I still find it very frustrating that it's so hard to find the real deal though. There's a few people in my neighborhood that have sizable ones. They're beautiful trees.
...See More
lou_spicewood_tx
Original Author
6 years ago
Well, supposedly you can fix alkaline water by using vinegar or sprinkling sulfur into the mix. Gardenias are definitely there so I suppose I'll try that one as well. Or get the yellow one that I saw on the internet...
daninthedirt (USDA 9a, HZ9, CentTX, Sunset z30, Cfa)
6 years ago
It's not just the soil. It's the water. The water is alkaline, and if you irrigate with it, it'll defeat any acidification you're trying to do. I guess if you collect rainwater, you have a chance.
wantonamara Z8 CenTex
6 years ago
There is always collecting rain water if it ever rains .
buttoni_8b
6 years ago
I found my Encores at Home Depot. Perhaps they will get them in where you are?
lou_spicewood_tx
Original Author
6 years ago
Not this year because of La Nina... :-(
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
6 years ago
Just add some table vinegar to your irrigation water...a couple of tablespoons per gallon. It is a very common solution for acid loving plants where the irrigation water is alkaline.
buttoni_8b
6 years ago
I saw some Encores at my Temple Home Depot yesterday. Not a lot of them though, maybe 6 or so.

Related Stories

ARCHITECTURE What’s Fueling Austin’s Edgy Modern Architecture?

By Mitchell Parker

A look at the blossoming design scene in Texas’ capital city — and what’s behind all the experimentation

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Midcentury Austin Home Earns a Makeover

Neglected but showing potential, a 1952 cottage is renovated with colorful details, a studded bathroom wall and plenty of sparkle

0

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Modern Sleekness and Serenity in Austin

Check out the before and after photos from inside and out to see a home's complete transformation in 10 months

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: An Art-Filled Austin Home Has Something to Add

Can a 90-square-foot bump-out really make that much difference in livability? The family in this expanded Texas home says absolutely

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Minimal and Soothing in Austin

By Vanessa Brunner

Modern design creates a surprising enclave within a more traditional development

UNIVERSAL DESIGN Houzz Tour: Accessibility Meets Contemporary on an Austin Hilltop

By Vanessa Brunner

Banish all thoughts of sterile schemes. This new build in Texas features universal design in warm, comfortable style

FARM YOUR YARD My Houzz: An Urban Farm and Animal Sanctuary in Austin

By Heather Banks

Four dogs, four chickens, a duck and a kitten find refuge in a photographer’s updated home

ECLECTIC HOMES My Houzz: From Beige and Bland to Eclectic and Moody in Austin

By Heather Banks

Colorful graphic wallpaper and eclectic finishes help transform this 1970s Texas home

MIDCENTURY HOMES My Houzz: Classic Update for a 1957 Austin Ranch House

By Heather Banks

Modern and minimalist meet farmhouse touches in this Texas home stager’s renovation and addition

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Austin Family Breathes New Life Into an Old Bungalow

By Heather Banks

Homeowners brighten up their 1948 fixer-upper with new floors, marble countertops and so much more

Sponsored

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

233 Reviews

Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery

More Discussions

If anyone still reads here …

5

Costco bareroots in TX -- 2 plants $16

2

cleaver invasion

2

Weed Treatment For Bermuda Grass

6

iris not blooming well

8