On Fri, 11 May 2007 23:06:54 +0100
Gill Matthews Try the wrote:

In article .com, says...
Perhaps someone could help, i adore the Japanese Acers/maples, i
believe they have to have
ericaceous compost , i have a 12 yr old one in the front garden which
is beautiful, gets better every year but
apart from the compost in the pot we bought it in when we planted it
in the garden we only put an extra handful in and its in clay soil so
surely the rain would have washed all the ericaceous compost away over
the years, should i top dress around the tree or as its doing so well
just leave it?

AFAIK Japanese acers do not need acid conditions/ericaceous compost
at all. Mine grow quite hapily in slightly chalky clay. I do water well
and mulch with ordinary soil improver, but that is to improve water
retention


That's right. In fact they resent soil that is too acid. The acid compost
myth is refuted by every maple book.

They don't like very alkaline soil, but since yours is in good shape leave it be.
If your soil is very chalky you could top dress with peat.

-E
--
Emery Davis
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