Mix or buy rhododendron soil yourself? Why it shouldn't be the cheapest or the most expensive product. The general rule is: The pH value must neither fall below nor exceed. Only the right composition, including fertilizer, guarantees permanently green leaves and colorful flowers.

Rhododendron soil - what makes the difference?

A low pH soil of 4.5 - 5.0 is ideal for rhododendrons. In addition, the nutrient release at its location must be well organized, because its nutrient requirements as an evergreen ornamental shrub are very high.

The water storage capacity of the rhododendron soil must also be high so that the roots are not exposed to waterlogging. Special rhododendron soil or normal peat? Even with the same pH value, they differ not only in price. The advantages of the special soil:

  • retains moisture
  • prevents waterlogging
  • including fertilizer depot and minerals

Special rhododendron soil is tailored to the needs of popular ericaceous plants such as rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, hydrangeas and heather plants. The fertilizer depot guarantees an optimal nutrient supply for 2 to 3 months. Intense flower and leaf color and best growth are the visible success. Commercially available rhododendron soil consists of these active ingredients.

  • Humus (peat free) pH 4.0 - 5.0
  • bark humus
  • wood fiber
  • sand
  • Guano (€121.99) as a root activator
  • NPK fertilizer as a growth donor
  • iron sulfate
  • nitrogen
  • phosphate
  • potassium oxide
  • nature tone

Mix rhododendron soil yourself - that's how it works

If you don't want to buy rhododendron soil, you can mix it yourself by making your own compost and mixing soil with flowers. Your new rhododendron or offshoot in the garden will feel really comfortable in it. Make sure that the pH value is never exceeded or fallen below. Dose the fertilizer for the rhododendron soil so that the pH value remains around 5.0.

Good to know: Substitutes that are added to peat free soil bind nitrogen. Natural clay should therefore be added to the soil as a nutrient and moisture buffer. By adding sand, heavy garden soils such as clay soils improve sustainably. Sand with additional charcoal or firewood ash prevents numerous fungal diseases.

tips and tricks

Humus is one of the most nutrient-rich garden soils. Therefore, fill the location with a layer of humus of 20 to 30 centimeters before you plant the rhododendron. As excavated soil, you can get humus particularly inexpensively for construction work or earthmoving.
Throw the excavation humus through a sieve before distributing it!

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