Shortage of Ericaceous Compost and other things...

Hi everyone, I hope you're all well and coping with the lockdown

I've not been on for a while. My interest in gardening waned for a couple of years due to one thing or another, but I'm attacking the garden with renewed vigour this year.

I've been trying to get hold of some ericaceous compost but it's either sold out or the cost has been twice what I'd normally pay. Even my local B&Q, which is one of the larger ones, doesn't have any. Has anyone else had problems?

Also, could anyone advise what type of Camellia this is please?

I actually ordered a different variety and this came in its place. It's in the border and I'd like another one for a container.

None of my Camellias have flowered well this year, either in the borders or containers whereas last year there were so many I had to support some of the stems.

 

Hi Merleworld,

I got some compost just before lockdown. More by luck than judgement to be honest, but am now running low. On our local Facebook page, local GC’s are advertising for delivery only. I am going to order from these. Not sure of delivery time though. Maybe worth seeing if there are a a local Facebook page and asking on there. Good thing is I have found out that a nursery I used to use that closed down has actually reopened.

Rusty

 

@merleworld I don't know if you are close to a wilko but they are still open and selling, only small bags I know but better than none.

 

I still can't find anything at a reasonable price (if at all). However, I've ordered some sulphur chips to mix in with ordinary compost so will see how I get on with that.

 

Have you tried your local big supermarket, we were at Asda the other day and they had several types of compost, though only really looked at the standard compost we were after.

When you say your 'ordinary' compost, what its its peat content, if its high is basically acid, the type we bought was about 70 % and it states a ph 5.5 to 6.0 on the packet so thats quiet low already and from what we have read should fine for most Camelias etc.

An easy way to keep the ph low is to use rain water or tap water with a few drop of cider vinegar per 5lt watering can, that keeps our Blueberries going well.

 

Hi Ricky and thanks for the advice

I've been given a 50L bag of multi purpose compost by next door neighbour, who'd had the foresight to stock up. I've got one 125L bag to use and I've also got quite a bit of spent compost which I can use. I bought some stuff which adds nutrients to spent compost. The containers I use are large, so I'll the spent compost on the bottom half of the container as the roots won't reach that part yet.

 

In-Excess click and collect?