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Carnivorous Plants/soil acidity
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Question
Hello guys,
Last year in spring I build a bog, planted several temperate carnivores, and they did great all summer long.
They grew real good in my new soil (peatmoss from big bags and perlite). Looks like they all survived our long winter months but I worried about the soil (acidity, it's dropping to 4.5 - 4.3 PH)also have a "PPM" meter and it says the water only has a good 41 PPM.
Got several books (the ones you recommend on you site)and they talk about "alkaline soil" kind of "base" opposite of "acid soil".
Is there a way to correct the soil acidity without killing the plants or will the be fine in such an acid environment? Not yet out of dormancy (although it's not going to take much longer) so I could still change the top soil.
Hi Jimmy,
You don't need to do a thing. pH in the 4's is exactly where it should be. Peat moss is quite acidic due to its high tannic acid content. It's exactly what carnivorous plants like. Live sphagnum moss also makes the pH right around 4 since it takes up tiny amounts of minerals and replaces them with Hydrogen ion. Alkaline soil is often very harmful to carnivorous plants. This is why you can seldom use any commercial soil mix since they add dolomite lime to adjust the pH up.
Good Growing!
Jeff Dallas
Sarracenia Northwest
http://www.cobraplant.com
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Answers by Expert:
Sarracenia Northwest
Expertise
If your plant is showing poor growth, discoloration, abnormal leaves or possible infestation, the growers at Sarracenia Northwest can help! Carnivorous plant experts Jeff Dallas and Jacob Farin will help you diagnose the problem and get your plants on the right track. Their no nonsense approach has helped thousands of growers all over the world. They can help you too!
Experience
With over 40 years of combined experience, Jeff and Jacob has definitely taken a straight forward approach to growing carnivorous plants. They have encountered many types of diseases, abnormal growth and infestations related to carnivorous plants, and they know what it takes to get plants looking beautiful and healthy again.
Education/Credentials
Authors of Secrets to Growing Beautiful Carnivorous Plants for Your Home and Garden and producers of the Grow Carnivorous Plants! DVD Series. They also produce a monthly video podcast to illustrate how plants cycle through the seasons.
No terrariums. No myths. No nonsense.
Just the straight facts from guys who grow and propagate
thousands of carnivorous plants each year.
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