In article ,
says...
Charlie Pridham wrote:
In article ,
says...
On 1/12/07 08:42, in article ,
"Charlie Pridham" wrote:

Recently built a wall, on the shady side of which I intend growing plants
that like acid soil conditions, my intention is to remove some soil (and
therefore the worst of my cement droppings) replace with an ericaceous
mix, my natural soil here is slightly acid, my question is how much lime
will the new wall leach into the soil? is there anything that can be used
perhaps to neutralize this? (seem to remember some stuff they used to use
to preserve eggs, changes the chemical composition of concrete, I think
that was called ising glass or water glass) Or will I be ok to leave well
alone?
Isinglass but that's my only available contribution, I'm afraid!


Thats the stuff I was thinking of, does anyone know what it is? (chemicle
wise) I remember using it as a child to grow crystles and later to water
proof a concrete pond and make it safe to introduce fish.
I have to say Dereks Tea suggestion is in the lead at present!



A bit of chemistry re acid soil here

http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...032030051.html


Made interesting reading, I don't actually need/want to change the soil
ph as its already acid, what I am concerned about is the leaching of lime
from the new wall, I know that over time it will be fine (I see plenty of
ericaceous plants growing on old walls) but was wondering whether there
is a short term effect.
I was always a bit shaky on the various limes, quick slaked etc I now can
not remember what the chemicle reaction is that sets cement and whether
there should be anything left at the end.
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea