View Single Post
  #10   Report Post  
Old 21-10-2006, 02:36 PM posted to aus.gardens,rec.gardens
Stephen Henning Stephen Henning is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Jul 2006
Posts: 176
Default Rhododedrons and clay soil

"Farm1" please@askifyouwannaknow wrote:

"Stephen Henning" wrote in message
"Farm1" please@askifyouwannaknow wrote:
I have rhodo that does. But depends on how much clay you are talking
about. Nothing will grow in pure clay but, yes in clayey soil.


The clay is not a problem, but the poor drainage that it creates is
a big problem. Very few plants will grow in pockets in clay soil that
doesn't drain. They drown. Pond plants will do OK though. Most
ponds are built with a clay lining. That is how good pure clay is
preventing water from penetrating. If your soil doesn't retain water
like that, then it is not a pure clay soil and that is why your rhodo
is doing well.


One needs moisture to actually have a plant drown
even in pure clay and that is a very rare commodity these days in half
of the groups to which this question was origianally posted.


Then I doubt they are growing rhododendrons since rhododendrons need
moist well-drained soil. I never found a rhododendron growing in a
desert or prairie.

--
Pardon my spam deterrent; send email to
Cheers, Steve Henning in Reading, PA USA
http://home.earthlink.net/~rhodyman